An international air show went ahead as scheduled this weekend following the fiery crash of an air force jet during a practice flight. The pilot safely ejected from the CF-18 jet moments before it crashed in a ball of flames, according to AP. Fans in the grandstand could see the charred twin tails of the jet in the wreckage surrounded by yellow tape. «It doesn't add to the appeal for me but it does make you more cognizant of the fact that a lot of machines are on the edge when they're performing,» said spectator Craig Gorham, who was sitting in the front row of the bleachers on Saturday. Gorham said the master of ceremonies for the air show reassured spectators that the pilots always keep within a fixed area in order to make sure no one on the ground is injured in the event of a mishap. Capt. Brian Bews was practicing maneuvers Friday afternoon over Lethbridge County Airport when witnesses say the plane appeared to stall at low altitude and then plunged toward the ground, erupting in a gigantic fireball. Right before impact, Bews ejected and his parachute deployed in the nick of time. He hit the ground hard and was dragged, but the military said Bews was recovering from his ordeal. Despite reports late Friday claiming Bews had been released from the hospital, military spokeswoman Capt. Holly Brown said Saturday that he remained hospitalized. -- SPA
