F-16 Fighting Falcon News

January 28, 1999 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Air Combat Command released the Aircraft Accident Investigation Report Jan. 26 on the Sept. 1 F-16C crash 25 miles south of Fort Sumner, N.M.
The aircraft was from the 523rd Fighter Squadron at Cannon AFB, N.M. It was on a tactical-intercept-training mission when the pilot, Maj. Kevin Frisbie, ejected. Frisbie sustained serious injuries and the F-16C was destroyed.

The report determined Frisbie experienced a Gravity-Induced Loss of Consciousness while performing a high-gravity maneuver. The G-LOC happened because the pilot didn't properly execute an Anti-Gravity-Strain Maneuver while pulling 6.4 Gs. Frisbie relied on his G-suit to inflate upon initiation of the G-forces and to serve as the cue for when to begin the AGSM. However, his G-suit was malfunctioning due to a disconnected hose and this led to a delay in the start of the AGSM. At the same time he made a radio call which also hampered his ability to perform the maneuver.

According to the report, Frisbie was unconscious for about 10 seconds during the G-LOC. When he awoke, his aircraft was in a 70-degree dive at an altitude of 5000 feet going at a speed of 575 knots. Frisbie immediately tried to pull out of the dive and shortly thereafter ejected at an altitude of 300 feet. The investigating officer said Frisbie's quick recognition of his "euphoric state" associated with G-LOC, which he had encountered in centrifuge training, probably saved his life.