Thunderbird pilot remains hospitalized 4 days after jet crash

UPDATE @ 2:44 p.m. (June 27):

Hospital officials said Thunderbirds Capt. Erik Gonsalves remains at Miami Valley Hospital Tuesday afternoon.

UPDATE @3:09 a.m. (June 27): 

Thunderbirds Capt. Erik Gonsalves continues to receive treatment at Miami Valley Hospital this morning.

Gonsalves suffered leg injuries when the F-16 jet he was flying in went off a runway on landing and flipped over.

RELATED: Thunderbird pilot remains hospitalized, mishap investigation continues

UPDATE @ 12:43 p.m. (June 26):

The military is investigating the crash involving a Thunderbirds F-16 jet prior to the Vectren Dayton Air Show this past weekend, according to U.S. Air Force officials.

RELATED: Thunderbird jet crashes ahead of Vectren Dayton Air Show

The jet will be housed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during the investigation, according to officials.

The Thunderbirds are expected to speak with the media to provide an update on their flight team on Thursday in Traverse City, Michigan ahead of their next performance at the National Cherry Festival Saturday, the Air Force said.

Earlier, the Air Force told this news organization the NTSB was investigating the crash, however they’ve since clarified that statement. The NTSB is not involved in the investigation, a spokesperson said.

UPDATE @ 11:22 a.m. (June 26):

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds will resume flying operations today, June 26 after the squadron departs Dayton for its home station at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The team will hold routine practices Tuesday.

"Capt. Gonsalves remains in the hospital and is surrounded by loved ones," said Lt. Col. Jason Heard on Facebook. "I have full faith and confidence in our team to conduct the mission safely, we look forward to returning to flying operations."

UPDATE @ 9:47 a.m. (June 26):

The Thunderbirds will be taking off at 10:30 a.m. and the injured pilot is expected to be staying at the hospital for a couple more days, officials announced this morning.

Thunderbirds Capt. Erik Gonsalves has had two surgeries, but his injuries are less serious than initially thought, according to officials.

RELATED: Attendance numbers released for 2017 air show

The damaged plane will be staying here locally and once able, it will be transported to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, officials said.

UPDATE @8:30 a.m. (June 26)

Thunderbirds Capt. Erik Gonsalves continues to receive treatment at Miami Valley Hospital.

A condition for Gonsalves was not available.

UPDATE @ 11:15 a.m. (June 25)

Thunderbirds Capt. Erik Gonsalves remains a patient at Miami Valley Hospital after he was extricated from an F-16 that overturned on the runway Friday at the Dayton International Airport.

Gonsalves Tweeted Saturday a picture of himself in the hospital bed stating, “Thanks for all the love and support. I'm doing okay. More to follow, I'm thankful for all our friendships.”

🎱 pic.twitter.com/1zzHWXQ7nA— Thunderbird 8 (@AFthunderbird08) June 24, 2017

Staff Sgt. Kenneth Cordova was the passenger in the F-16. He was extricated from the aircraft and taken to the hospital where he has since been released.

Friday’s mishap forced the Thunderbirds to cancel their performances at this weekend’s Vectren Dayton Air Show.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Heard, Thunderbirds commanding leader, said Friday’s ‘mishap’ is under investigation and what caused it has not been determined.

Heard said upon landing after a “single-ship familiarization flight,” the fighter jet overturned on the runway and sustained damage, temporarily trapping Gonsalves and Cordova in the aircraft.

EARLIER

As the Vectren Dayton Air Show kicks off Saturday some visitors came to the show, unaware of Friday’s Thunderbird crash and cancellation of their performance Saturday.

Michael Werchowski, 44, brought his 11-year-old son, Miles, hoping to see the Thunderbirds, but didn’t know they weren’t performing until he arrived at Dayton International Airport.

>>WATCH LIVE PERFORMANCES FROM SATURDAY’S SHOW

It was the first air show for both.

“We’ve never seen a Blue Angels or Thunderbirds show before, but it is what it is,” Michael Werchowski, who drove in from Powell near Columbus for the show.

Miles didn’t seem fazed.

“I’m just here to see planes,” he said.

A two seat F-16 Thunderbird jet overturned at the airport after landing Friday, trapping the pilot and passenger until they were freed by first responders.

RELATED: Thunderbird jet crashes ahead of Vectren Dayton Air Show

Both were hospitalized and reported in good condition. One team member has been released. The Thunderbirds have not yet made an announcement on whether they will perform at Sunday’s show.

Charles and Theresa Cooper, both 60, moved to New Lebanon in December after 40 years in California. The two grew up in the Miami Valley.

“I’ve never been to the air show,” Theresa Cooper said. “I’ve never come. “It’s pretty exciting.”

The couple were driving near the airport Friday when they spotted emergency vehicles and heard about the Thunderbird jet mishap.

“So sad,” she said.

Charles Cooper said he wanted to come to the air show anyway partly because of the region’s heritage as the birthplace of aviation. “Living in California, you don’t realize how much this region has to offer until you come back,” he said.

Gary and Linda Kish drove four hours from St. Clairsville near Wheeling, W.V., with two grandchildren, Jayden, 6, and Weston, 4, but weren’t deterred from coming when they heard the Thunderbirds canceled the Saturday show.

“We were eating ice cream when we heard about it,” Jayden said.

“It’ still a good time,” said Gary Kish, 64. “We’re just glad (the two Thunderbird two members) are OK.”

“What are you going to do?” asked Linda Kish.

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