Crazy jet fighter pilots: CHECK! Crazy bomber pilots: CHECK! Crazy airliner pilots: CHECK! Crazy military transport pilots: Watch this crazy pilot flying this Swedish Air Force’ Hercules C-130 as low as 1.5m and just over the head of his colleagues.
Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet says the pilot who flew the Hercules declared that “it was just for fun”. His superiors, however, weren’t very amused. Swedish Air Force chief Jan Andersson gave the order to suspend the pilot and start a formal investigation: “until further notice, he’s grounded”.
Johan Svetoft, the official in charge of the investigation, told Aftonbladet that “there was absolutely no margin [of error]. It could have been a disaster with just a minimum disturbance” like a gust of wind or a power failure. Apparently, some of his colleagues didn’t find it funny either. Thomas Hagman, in charge of the paratrooper training exercise that was taking place during the stunt outside the Flugebyn Karlsborg airfield, said that it was “unacceptable to break the rules”.
True, but cut the guy some slack, buddy. The internet will love you for that. [Aftonbladet — In Swedish]
Update: As a reader points out, another Hercules just crashed in Sweden while practising low-altitude flying. Irony can be cruel.