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Airframe Details for F-16 #78-0100

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F-16 Aircraft Profile

Aircraft: 78-0100
LM Aero T/V 62-26
Plant General Dynamics
Local C/N
Delivered USAF 78100
F-16B Block 5
Current USAF 78100
F-16B Block 5
Status [w/o]

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Aircraft History

Date Status Local S/N Airforce/Unit Version Name Info
18 Oct 1979 [act] 78100 F-16B Block 5
19 Oct 1979 [act] 78100 USAF 61 TFTS 'MC' F-16B Block 5
Sep 1987 [act] 78100 USAF 127 TFTS F-16B Block 5
01 Oct 1991 [act] 78100 USAF 6516 TS 'ED' F-16B Block 5
Oct 1992 [act] 78100 USAF 416 TS 'ED' F-16B Block 5
Special characteristics:
  • Unit Markings: AFFTC
Painted in the white and red scheme.
17 Jul 2001 [msh] 78100 USAF 416 FTS 'ED' F-16B Block 5 News Article
The pilot, Major Aaron George and Lockheed photographer Judson Brohmer were killed. Incident occurred at 7:00 hours about 30 miles east of China Lake. The F-16 was flying a photo/safety chase position on a 2nd F-16 on a test mission to demonstrate reliability improvements on a MALD (Miniature Air Launch Decoy). Following the launch of the MALD, the MALD's engine failed. The MALD descended at a 20 degree angle until 8,996 feet where a drogue shoot deployed followed by a recovery parachute at 7,000 feet. It drifted into mountainous terrain. The mishap aircraft was collecting video coverage of the MALD's launch, recovery, and landing. In order to maintain optimum position for video taping the MALD, the pilot had to execute barrel roll maneuvers to avoid passing the MALD. As the MALD's drogue shoot deployed, the mishap pilot executed a 3rd barrel roll maneuver, to maintain position which placed him at a steep, inverted, high speed dive that he was unable to recover. The crash was caused by channelized attention on the MALD and loss of altitude awareness.
17 Jul 2001 [w/o] 78100 USAF 416 FTS 'ED' F-16B Block 5 AIB Report

Crew Chief Comments

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SSgt. Matthew Mckee

 Crew Chief Profile
184th Fighter Group , -
78-100 was the best "shack" bomber in the fleet.


Abbreviations and symbols:
[act] Active [i/a] Instructional Airframe [sto] Stored (e.g. at AMARG)
[cld] Cancelled Order [msh] Involved in Mishap [w/o] Write-off
[con] Converted [o/o] On Order
[des] Destroyed (drone) [pre] Preserved (museum, gateguard) T/V LM Aero Type/Version (Construction) number
[emb] Embargoed [scr] Scrapped Photo Available
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