Sammie was the West Coast A-10 (USAF Jet) demonstration pilot. He was practicing his routine at Nellis AFB, NV when his plane developed flight control problems. Instead of ejecting, he rode the A-10 into the ground and crash. He could have ejected and lived, but the A-10 would have landed on about 12 Airmen working on other jets. He died a hero around 1983. I was to go over to his house that evening for dinner. RIP Sammie!
Craig Lightfoot
Sammie was the West Coast A-10 (USAF Jet) demonstration pilot. He was practicing his routine at Nellis AFB, NV when his plane developed flight control problems. Instead of ejecting, he rode the A-10 into the ground and crash. He could have ejected and lived, but the A-10 would have landed on about 12 Airmen working on other jets. He died a hero around 1983. I was to go over to his house that evening for dinner. RIP Sammie!
Nancy Davis (Murray)
Wow Craig, I did not know this about Sam! Thank you for sharing this about him. I remember him as being a funny and nice guy. He was indeed a hero!