How many aircraft can a military pilot lose in non-combat accidents before his/her wings are taken away?

Question

Realistically, even if they were just accidents?

Answer 1

They don't take away anyone's wings, but they can be grounded permanently.  One guy I knew lost his hearing ability and had to wear a hearing aid and was grounded as a result.  It drove him crazy and he began wearing a general's hat and halloween masks and was finally given a medical discharge.  He claimed it was a 'hardship' discharge

Answer 2

Depends upon the circumstances. As few as one.  Each incident is fully investigated and stands on its own.

There is no such thing as an "accident."  Every time an aircraft goes down it's because someone f*cked up.  It may not have been the pilot, but someone somewhere did something wrong whether it was in the construction of the aircraft, the materials used in its construction, air traffic control, etc.

Answer 3

Accidents are just that.....so as long as it is determined that it was not pilot error then as many as one can pilot......

Answer 4

Depends on the circumstances.  I'd be inclined to say if all were accidents, they wouldn't take their wings away.

Answer 5

And now this is where your argument against McCain falls apart.  If his experience in the military doesn't count toward his experience for the Presidency, then it doesn't count now when it detracts from him either.

He does not need to know how to fly a plane to be President.  If it was necessary, Obama would be out as well.

Let this one go.  Or accept his military experience does matter toward his run for the Presidency, both good and bad.