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Shaw F-16CJ Accident Investigation Report released
May 10, 1999 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Air Combat Command officials released the Aircraft Accident Investigation Report on the Nov. 19, 1998, crash of an F-16CJ from the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw AFB, S.C.
The plane crashed less than a minute after takeoff from Shaw. The pilot, Lt. Col. Robert Harvey, ejected safely, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The report concluded the accident was caused by failure of the AC generator assembly and faulty logic within the digital engine control. Seconds after takeoff, the AC generator assembly began sending erroneous signals to the DEC. These signals caused the DEC to supply more fuel to the engine, which was already running at 100 percent.
The additional fuel being pumped into the engine caused it to overspeed and the main engine control momentarily shut off fuel to the engine to correct the situation. The lack of fuel starved the engine, causing rapid loss of power.
When the pilot noticed a RPM decrease in the engine, he initiated afterburner power but there was no increase in thrust. Harvey, who was a very low altitude, performed an emergency maneuver to gain altitude and decrease speed, and then ejected.
Shortly after he ejected, the overspeed condition subsided, and the engine regained power. The aircraft flew 30 seconds before crashing into the ground less than two miles from the end of the runway.
The report concluded the accident was caused by failure of the AC generator assembly and faulty logic within the digital engine control. Seconds after takeoff, the AC generator assembly began sending erroneous signals to the DEC. These signals caused the DEC to supply more fuel to the engine, which was already running at 100 percent.
The additional fuel being pumped into the engine caused it to overspeed and the main engine control momentarily shut off fuel to the engine to correct the situation. The lack of fuel starved the engine, causing rapid loss of power.
When the pilot noticed a RPM decrease in the engine, he initiated afterburner power but there was no increase in thrust. Harvey, who was a very low altitude, performed an emergency maneuver to gain altitude and decrease speed, and then ejected.
Shortly after he ejected, the overspeed condition subsided, and the engine regained power. The aircraft flew 30 seconds before crashing into the ground less than two miles from the end of the runway.
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