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Airframe Details for F-16 #78-0055

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F-16 Aircraft Profile

Aircraft: 78-0055
LM Aero T/V 61-51
Plant General Dynamics
Local C/N
Delivered USAF 78055
F-16A Block 5
Current USAF 78055
F-16A Block 5
Status [w/o]
This accident was featured on a Discovery Channel documentary entitled Crash! Air Force Investigations which was aired on November 12th, 2005.


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Aircraft History

Date Status Local S/N Airforce/Unit Version Name Info
19 Feb 1980 [act] 78055 F-16A Block 5
29 Feb 1980 [act] 78055 USAF 4485 TS 'OT' F-16A Block 5
Oct 1982 [act] 78055 USAF 3247 TS 'AD' F-16A Block 5
12 Feb 1986 [msh] 78055 USAF 3247 TS 'AD' F-16A Block 5
Flew into the Gulf of Mexico with the pilot, Captain Larry Edward Lee, being killed. The accident happened during the early AMRAAM program. While flying over the Gulf of Mexico at approximately 2500 ft and Mach 1.5, the pilot was performing 9G wind up turns to stress the aircraft and weapon system. The engine exploded and departed the aircraft through the backbone. Capt. Lee ejected at over Mach 1 breaking both arms causing him to drown. The aircraft was recovered from the Gulf of Mexico where it was inspected to determine the cause of the accident.
12 Feb 1986 [w/o] 78055 USAF 3247 TS 'AD' F-16A Block 5

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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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