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Paralyzed retired crew chief lands jet exhibit

When a motorcycle crash left retired Staff Sgt. Christopher Vidovich paralyzed from the chest down three years ago, it abruptly ended what he had hoped would be a lifelong career in the Air Force.

But he’s found some healing in the unlikeliest of places: an F-15A and a museum.

After returning to his home state of Pennsylvania, the now-retired Vidovich heard that the Air Heritage Museum in Beaver Falls, about an hour’s drive north of Pittsburgh, was trying to procure an F-15A to restore and display. It felt meant to be. Not only was Vidovich a former F-15 crew chief mechanic, but the model the museum wanted was from the same year he was born: 1976.

In addition to giving the museum $6,000 to help transport the plane from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., to Pennsylvania, he also decided to lend his expertise.

Ralph Zinkham, vice president of the museum, said it took three months to get the disassembled jet to a hangar at the Beaver Falls Airport, the museum’s home. Volunteers with a wide range of aircraft maintenance skills helped get the plane into display shape for the museum. Vidovich’s deep knowledge of the F-15 was key to the restoration, Zinkham said.

“We had all these parts and pieces and whenever we pulled up a panel, he’d say, ‘That goes there,’” said Zinkham, a former aircraft mechanic and electrician. “That’s what really impressed me. He knew his F-15s.”

Because of his paralysis, Vidovich couldn’t do a lot of the hands-on work that was needed to put the plane back together, but he was able to offer plenty of tips and advice on the parts needed to prepare get the plane into display shape. And he couldn’t be happier with the results, which he got to see for his recent birthday in March.

In his honor, the museum stenciled his name and “crew chief” on the side of the jet.

“It looks good,” Vidovich said. “Those guys up there did a great job.”

Vidovich said he wants to continue to work with the museum to help make the exhibit display better because he still has “that itch” to work with the F-15, particularly as the Air Force phases it out, he said. Getting involved with the museum and the aircraft, he said, has helped him scratch that itch.

“It’s just good for the heart and the soul,” he said.