Forum: Mishaps

huggy wrote:

The AFI does say that "opening of cap is to the rear". And the crush does tend to open it up in that manner.
In any case, I see plenty of Flag Officers wearing it with the crush.

That figures. A general can wear it like he's about to fly over Europe in 1943, and that is ok, but the rest of us swine try it and we get
b!tched at.

Story of my life...

"I can't get my head in my pocket, Sir." LMAO

Great!

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ATC wrote:

Go to page 32.

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/m ... 6-2903.pdf

I don't see any mention of it being pushed in.

Nor do I see any mention of it not being pushed in.

That actually happened at the 162nd between Hangar 9 and Tagra...in the A-7 days.

And back on topic... Who can tell me what aircraft dropped the BDU-33s at Nellis? I though it was an F-16 but another source told me differently.

Although I love the AFI 36-2903 discussion, I am with Lieven....does anyone know if this was a Nellis jet or a TDY bird from another base? I have another question for you Lieven.... Who is the investigator who said "the incident was probably not due to negligence on the part of the pilot, but was more likely the result of malfunctioning bomb racks or incorrect installation of the bombs."

I tend to agree with that statement since it sounds like the jet was in a TO/LDG config not an A-G mode. I just find it odd that he would make a statement like that because normally investigators hold back any speculations until after the investigation is complete. Any thoughts?

Lieven, you'll probably have to go with what your source said until the official report is released.

I don't think that this was an investigator but rather a Col from the base acting as a spokesman along with the Wing CC. Don't see how this will warrant a huge investigation because so little damage was done. No large board like something convened for a Class A mishap. But I think the Air Force will want to get the answer out to the media quickly because it made the news and is slightly embarrassing.

Last mention on my part about the cap. You'll see most fighter guys tuck the back section of the cap in so that a little "tail" sticks up. I've heard it referred to as the "Mach Tuck".

specs343579 wrote:

Although I love the AFI 36-2903 discussion, I am with Lieven....does anyone know if this was a Nellis jet or a TDY bird from another base?

I have heard now it was an A-10 Thunderbolt II but I have no more details.

specs343579 wrote:

I have another question for you Lieven.... Who is the investigator who said "the incident was probably not due to negligence on the part of the pilot, but was more likely the result of malfunctioning bomb racks or incorrect installation of the bombs."

I don't know who that investigator is bit it wasn't the Wing commander who stated this.

Investigators don't typically hold media events or comment about causes.

But you've got lots of people who want to make sure the image of the Air Force is not tarnished especially with the Air Warfare CC, 57 WG/CC and 99th ABW/CC all there at Nellis.

In the media clip the 1 star is Russel J. Handy, 57th Wing CC, he mentions how the BDU is carried and stated that something went wrong. I don't see anything in the posted military article or the news clip that absolves the pilot and focuses only on the mx or weapons.

But I don't have the sources Lieven has either.

It was a Nellis assigned A-10. Confirmed.

Quoting from another site (sorry can't find the URL anymore):

Quote:

This sort of thing, sadly, does happen. A BDU-33 is roughly the same shape and dimensions as a bowling pin with fins at the long end. This shape gives it the same ballistic characteristics as a full-size Mk82 500lb bomb - AND it's reusable.

The problem is that it doesn't have the same safeguards as a full up -82 to keep it from dropping - it has only one attachment lug, no sway braces - and if the loader is in the slightest bit inattentive, or the ejection cartridge misfired, the BDU can and will come off at the slightest provocation such as a nice, tight break as the pilot gets into the pattern.

Because of the time of the accident, it sounds to me like this bird was returning from a practice run where the cart fired but the bomb didn't leave the plane. Somebody didn't do a hung bomb check, and Mr BDU stayed with the bird until he pulled a couple G's going into the pattern.

Does ANYONE have another example of a BDU-33 being dropped from 1700 AGL and "BOUNCING"? Also please note in to the news coverage that the BDU in question was photographed laying fairly intact on the street. It was supposed to have "come apart" during the "bounce".

There is something fishy about this whoile story.

the 33 does certainly get swayed down. it's not the four feet but a solid piece that gets swayed across the top in the front

Forum: Mishaps

Training bomb strikes vehicle near Nellis