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Airframe Details for F-16 #79-0318

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F-16 Aircraft Profile

Aircraft: 79-0318
LM Aero T/V 61-103
Plant General Dynamics
Local C/N
Delivered USAF 79318
F-16A Block 10
Current USAF 79318
F-16A Block 10
Status [w/o]

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Aircraft History

Date Status Local S/N Airforce/Unit Version Name Info
28 Aug 1980 [act] 79318 F-16A Block 10
29 Aug 1980 [act] 79318 USAF 57 FWW 'WA' F-16A Block 10
May 1981 [act] 79318 USAF 421 TFS 'HL' F-16A Block 10
Special characteristics:
  • Unit Markings: 388 TFW
Unknown [act] 79318 USAF 16 TFTS 'HL' F-16A Block 10
27 Jan 1982 [msh] 79318 USAF 16 TFTS 'HL' F-16A Block 10
Crashed into an unpopulated area Southwest of Luke AFB, Arizona. Cause of crash was flight control failure, pilot ejected safely.
27 Jan 1982 [w/o] 79318 USAF 16 TFTS 'HL' F-16A Block 10

Crew Chief Comments

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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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Errors and Omissions

Aug 06, 2021 - 10:10 PM
EPU failure

This occurred on the Gila Bend bomb range and was witnessed by observers on the ground. The aircraft struck the ground near vertical at a high rate of speed. This and earlier Flight Control (FC) failures (see 1980/1981) were caused by a EPU over speed. The EPU voltage out is directly proportional to turbine speed. When the normal 28v reaches 45v, the FC inverters shut down, saving themselves. With no FC power, the tails go to 0 deg causing high negative g (-5) with most aircraft loadings. Sometimes the problem takes care of itself as the turbine disintegrates returning normal power to the FC. As a result of this accident, two TCTOs were implemented on all aircraft: 1. An EPU overspeed sensor was added, and 2. The horizontal tails were re-rigged to 2 deg leading edge down. This had the effect of a more benign aircraft response to FC elec and hyd failures giving the pilot a better chance of a successful ejection.





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