WT Forums

<i>They ripped into this pilot. I think he is in trouble, career wise.</i>


F-16 Accident Report Released (Posted: Thursday, June 30, 2005)
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) - A pilot's failure to follow standard F-16 operations procedures caused an F-16D to crash short of the runway at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March 18, Air Force officials announced today.

The incident happened when the pilot, assigned to Nellis' 57th Wing, was returning to the base following an <b>in flight emergency in which the throttle stuck in the afterburner mode. While preparing for a straight-in flame out approach, the engine stalled short of the runway, forcing the pilot to eject.</b> He sustained only minor scratches on landing. The $22.7 million aircraft was destroyed on impact.

According to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report, the pilot failed to follow standard F-16 operations procedures by <b>allowing items, including a large metal briefcase, to be strapped in the unoccupied rear cockpit seat.</b> A maintenance specialist strapped these items in the rear seat, with the pilot's permission, just prior to initial engine start. <b>The items shifted during takeoff and the briefcase jammed against the throttle in the full afterburner position.</b>

There is also clear and convincing evidence the pilot did not properly respond to the stuck throttle condition. Once the pilot obtained altitude and airspeed within the F-16 Flight Manual flameout landing parameters, he did not maintain a position that would enable him to land the aircraft on the runway in the event the engine failed.




THE RAMPTOR ENGINEERING TEAM <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
"Who cares if it works? Does it look good on the ramp?"

_________________
????

"High Key"....Dumbass

"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see their near and dear bathed in tears, to ride their horses and sleep on the white bellies of their wives and daughters."
-Genghis Khan

_________________
\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton

That incident happened just after Red Flag 05-3.1. Glad I was gone, since as Red Flag safety biatch, I would've been tasked to the 57th Wing safety office to assist the investigation. Nellis is the worst place to be the flight safety guy. At the time, they were working 4 Class As: the F-22 takeoff crash, an F-15C crash, and two Predator crashes. They had just finished with the F/A-18 crash a few months earlier.

Hate to see anyone screw up...and we all have! But this is a prime example of: "Just when you think you have designed something to be idiot proof....nature will provide a better idiot"! Yes, this guy's aviation career is in jeopardy!...Cheers to all!

Col R. C. Lemon

_________________
On God's wing, to Heaven i fly.

I see his next assignment a six by 4 foot desk, down in the bowels of some small office in Greenland or the southpole.