Air Force Pilot Disabled in Friendly Fire Accident to Appear on CBS EVENING NEWS Tonight

A former Air Force pilot disabled in a Friendly Fire accident says he "almost got sick" when he learned the Navy pilot who shot down his jet was nominated for a promotion to Admiral. The report will be broadcast tonight, Jan. 14 on the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH SCOTT PELLEY (6:30-7:00 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.

In 1987, Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Ross' F-4 Phantom jet was shot down by Navy pilot Lt. J.G. Timothy Dorsey during a training exercise. Ross was ejected at 630 miles per hour and suffered leg, shoulder and spine injuries that still cause him physical pain.

"It basically made me 100 percent disabled by Air Force standards," Ross tells CBS News National Security Correspondent David Martin.

The error cost Dorsey his flying privileges, but he remained in the Navy as an intelligence officer. Last year, he was nominated for a promotion to Admiral. In tonight's report, Martin speaks with Ross about his opposition to Dorsey's nomination and the 32 surgeries Ross underwent after the accident.

Patricia Shevlin is the Executive Producer of the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH SCOTT PELLEY.

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