Forum: F-16 News

This is a discussion topic for the F-16.net news article: "F-16D crashes near Charleston, South Carolina". You can read the full forum discussion in the F-16.net forum.

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Shaw based plane. Both pilots ejected and the plane crashed into the tidal marsh just up the Ashley River from Charleston. Both pilots have been picked up and are ok. Will post the tail number when I get it.

As a civilian, I once flew <a href="[Link pending approval]">91-0468</a> of the 79th Fighter Squadron so I hope it is not that one.

I just learned that the plane was part of the 77th Fighter Squadron, part of the 20th Fighter Wing based at Shaw AFB, Sumter, SC. The tail number is still unknown.

Thanks for the info! Glad the pilots got out OK!

The acft that went down was not part of the 77th. It is part of the 55th. The 77th pilots are flying it to get used to the new systems that are heading to their squadron.

Hi Kraut, rcmoore808, thank you very much for the additional information. We have now ammended the article.

The tail number was 91-1469 according to Shaw AFB Public affairs. I will make a recommendation for web sites offering pictures shortly. I do not understand why the plane had a 1 in the number as opposed to a 0.

The website of Charleston TV station WCBD has a story with <a href="[Link pending approval]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">photo access</a>. That web site can be accessed at <a href="[Link pending approval]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[Link pending approval]</a>. Follow the <a href="[Link pending approval]!home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link to the story</a>.

Needless to say, the plane will be a write-off.

kraut wrote:

The tail number was 91-1469 according to Shaw AFB Public affairs. I will make a recommendation for web sites offering pictures shortly. I do not understand why the plane had a 1 in the number as opposed to a 0.

I would indeed expect it to be <a href="f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-3512.html">#91-0469</a> instead of #91-1469.

<a href="f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-3512.html">91-0469</a> was a 55FS jet when I saw it at Shaw AFB in March this year.

The 77th D model's are 842 and 463 at least they where in 2002.

FalconRed wrote:

The 77th D model's are 842 and 463 at least they where in 2002.

Thanks, but it appears that the crashed D was a 55th jet (with 77th crew though).

Any guesses on cause of crash? They made it out to Charleston before trouble developed and pilot was able to navigate to unpopulated area. Any thoughts?

I was in Charleston today on business and went by the crash site. Recovery operations have been initiated and the tail section is sticking up. Overhead photos show a large burned out section of marshland. The local newspaper, the Charleston Post and Courier, had a front page shot of the plane crash and fireball explosion. The picture also showed one of the pliots coming down in his chute. It was taken by a local person in a boat and, given what happened, is fantastic. Perhaps one of the moderators could contact the paper for a scan of the shot and include it somewhere.

Speaking from my one experience in flying (backseat) an F-16 out of Shaw, I think it is fairly typical to go to Charleston and do a touch and go. I noticed that the crash site is directly in front of the south runway exit in Charleston and I would guess that to be about four miles. I know when we did our touch and go (we did not touch as we had a centerline tank), we followed the same path. The only difference in my flight plan was that we went out off the coast first (we went supersonic when we got out there) from Shaw and then to Charleston before returning to Shaw. Published reports indicate that the plane was heading for the same offshore training box with a return to Shaw. The report also said that the gun had been armed; however, there were no other stores.

Reports also indicate that the pilots could not restart the plane and recognized that there was a problem. Obviosly standard restart proceedures failed leaving the plane without propulsion. The pilots decided on a favorable, uninhabited aim point for the plane and ejected.

My un proffessional guess is all of this activity took place as the plane was leaving Charleston, headed south. I recognize I am in the company of professional so I hope my comments are appropriate.

I have some questions concerning my own backseat ride and will ask those at a later time.

kraut wrote:

Speaking from my one experience in flying (backseat) an F-16 out of Shaw, I think it is fairly typical to go to Charleston and do a touch and go.

Just out of curiousity how did you as a civilian or so it seems get a ride in the backseat of a Viper? Not that it is really any of my business but I was just curious if maybe you were prior military or something. I have had my fair share of rides in the backseat as a maintenance troop with altitude chamber training.

Now there is a lot more that goes on during a crash other than the recovery. I feel for all the guys back there at Shaw where I just left only 8 months ago. They are going through some tough times right now....especially the crew chiefs. The crash investigation board will be tearing away at them, the forms, anyone who may have been around at the time. Any speculation at this point of what happened is just rumor. There were a few thing that went on with this jet earlier in the day but nothing that would have affected the engine if indeed he did have engine problems as I was told by one of my friends still there. The GE-129's in those jets are the most dependable Viper motor out there right now. Anyway, my heart goes out to my boys back there at Shaw....it sucks what they put you through.