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AIB reports student F-16 pilot lost consciousness
July 3, 2008 (by
Asif Shamim) -
The Accident Investigation Board report for F-16C block 25 #84-1273 has been released. The conclusion of the investigation says the cause was due to G-Induced Loss of Consciousness (G-LOC).
The F-16 from 62 FS crashed approximately 71 miles northwest of Luke Air Force Base killing the Air National Guard (ANG) pilot Second Lieutenant David J. Mitchell. The F-16 valued at over $20 Million was totally destroyed.
#84-1273, the mishap aircraft was flying a basic fighter manoeuvre training mission with a second F-16C under the supervision of an instructor pilot.
The training mission involved simulated air-to-air 'dogfight' which subjected the pilots to high G-forces of upto 9 Gs, often at high G-onset rates (greater than 6Gs per second).
About thirty seven minutes into the mission, during a high speed turning manoeuvre Mitchell's F-16 stopped manoeuvring and deviated earthbound when control was lost by the pilot. 14 seconds later and at speeds exceeding 600 knots the F-16 crashed. Mitchell did not attempt to eject.
Mitchell of Toledo, Ohio a member of the 180th Fighter Wing was temporarily assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron, as part of his Basic Qualification Course within the Initial Pilot Training program.
He earned his commission as an Air Force officer in June 2006 then completed undergraduate pilot training last August at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The Accident Investigation Board (AIB) found clear evidence of G-LOC experienced by the pilot. The aircraft was not found to be at fault.
F-16C #84-1273 lost March 14, 2008
#84-1273, the mishap aircraft was flying a basic fighter manoeuvre training mission with a second F-16C under the supervision of an instructor pilot.
The training mission involved simulated air-to-air 'dogfight' which subjected the pilots to high G-forces of upto 9 Gs, often at high G-onset rates (greater than 6Gs per second).
About thirty seven minutes into the mission, during a high speed turning manoeuvre Mitchell's F-16 stopped manoeuvring and deviated earthbound when control was lost by the pilot. 14 seconds later and at speeds exceeding 600 knots the F-16 crashed. Mitchell did not attempt to eject.
Mitchell of Toledo, Ohio a member of the 180th Fighter Wing was temporarily assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron, as part of his Basic Qualification Course within the Initial Pilot Training program.
He earned his commission as an Air Force officer in June 2006 then completed undergraduate pilot training last August at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The Accident Investigation Board (AIB) found clear evidence of G-LOC experienced by the pilot. The aircraft was not found to be at fault.
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