Forum: F-16 News

The <a href="news_article1823.html">article released from F-16.net</a> didn't include the cause of death for that poor Staff Sergeant. I am sure it is every successful enlisted AF members' dream to get one of those rides, however do you think that this terrible incident will cause the AF reconsider the whole "incentive flight" thing over?

F-16.net Sponsor

Damn shame, but it does happen...I have to say when I got my last ride in the F-18 with the Blue Angels I was 39 years old.

Flying without a G-Suit and pulling 9 G's wasn't as easy as some try to make it sound but I had flown very often and was used to the "pull" and had also been trained how to accomplish the G maneuver to help prevent the blood pooling in my feet.

As much as many of us may hate to admit it, getting older and flying these highly sophisticated aircraft is hard on the body, maybe the person was out of shape too (don't know but it is possible) and he suffered heart problems (in flight) due to the stress of the flight and high G environment?

In any event, a bad day for the USAF, this person's family and of course...him. I do not think the program will go away but I am sure the medical exams will get a harder look as well as the person's physical fitness and overall condition (as it should).

Thanks for the link, damn shame..I knew after my ride, I was physically drained and tired...slept like a baby that night for sure.

AS much as I would want to fly like that again now, I would have to really give it some serious consideration as I am now 54, not the "pup" I used to be...but it might be worth it to go out that way...if I had too choose.

Sad day for sure...thanks again

You would think the physical they take before the incentive ride would reveal any kind of heart problems, etc. That is what I thought at least. May His memory be eternal, condolences to his family. I am in love with this bird so much, if they had told me I would get one incentive ride and I'd die during that sortie, I would have taken it, but that is me. Smile

My guess is he had a heart attack or stroke under G load.
An incentive physical typically consists of a quick listen of the ticker followed by a look in the ears to be sure you can clear them.

My sympathy's to his family and unit.

An update regarding <a href="news_article1823.html">the incentive ride that went bad</a>....

The Airforcetimes.com now reports the following.

airforcetimes.com wrote:

Oxygen shutoff caused Reservist’s death during flight
By Bruce Rolfsen, Staff writer

An Air Force Reserve staff sergeant died after taking an incentive flight in the back seat of an F-16D Fighting Falcon because he mistakenly shut off the oxygen flowing into his face oxygen mask, an Air Force accident investigation board concluded in a report released Monday.

[...]

Shortly after takeoff, Walters began to breathe rapidly causing the onset of hypoxia, an inadequacy in the amount of oxygen reaching the body’s tissues. The jet’s pilot, Lt. Col. Christian Fellhoelter, told Walters to “Go Oxygen 100 percent.”

Investigators believe that Walters accidentally closed the oxygen valve instead of turning it to 100 percent oxygen.

[...]

Shame.....training, training, training... damn shame it cost this person his life.

He was probably living one of his dreams though

Yes...

Wow, look at this. I found this some time ago about someone having a ride with the 174th FW and he made the same problem but on the ground.

planeandpilotmag.com wrote:

"Now, for the fun. Gentlemen, start the engine. During the taxi, I was nervous. I only had three things to do before takeoff. First was turn off the intercom (I never asked why), then arm the ejection seat (easy huh?) and then test the oxygen by using the toggle switch to go from normal to 100%, check for pressure and then go back to normal. Of course, the oxygen mask is on and quite tight during this test. The next thing I knew, I had turned the oxygen off by pulling the switch back one too many clicks. Here we were. I couldn’t breathe. We were ready to taxi on to the runway, and I couldn’t communicate with Gabby. The oxygen switch, by the way, is out of sight down to my right behind the control stick covered by the already troublesome survival/pressure suit/life vest combination, and I couldn’t find it.

So what did I do first? I wasted about five seconds trying to find the switch, then I tried to tell Gabby to hold up, then I realized that I have to find the switch to activate the intercom—did I already say that I couldn’t breathe and, oh yeah, I’m nervous? But I finally got my thumb under the mask and pulled it away, then turned on the intercom and asked Gabby to hold up. At last, I found the oxygen switch and set it for normal. Now, I was ready. Let’s get in the air before I accidentally turn off the engine and they realize that they have the wrong guy in the backseat, I thought."

http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/content ... n/f16.html

Back in the olden days didn't we wire the switch on with copper breakaway wire?

You wouldnt believe the training you have to go thru to get a ride now. When i got mine we were getting off the plane at vegas and super told me i was first to go monday. Showed up monday at ops, got a flightsuit and helmet and strapped in with my pilot. that was it and off i went. Those days are over, probably a good thing.

It's a sad event, but I hope this doesn't stop incentive flights, just better training.

Forum: F-16 News

Anymore news on the incentive ride death?