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ANG F-16C Accident Investigation Report released
March 9, 1999 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Air Combat Command officials released the Aircraft Accident Investigation Report today on the Nov. 17, 1998, crash of an Air National Guard F-16C on the Jefferson Proving Ground Range near Madison, Ind.
The pilot, 1st Lt. Christopher Snider, ejected safely. Snider was flying as part of a four-ship surface attack tactics-training mission.
The aircraft was from the 113th Fighter Squadron at the 181st Fighter Wing based at Terre Haute International Airport.
The report concluded the accident was caused by engine failure. According to the investigating officer, the accident occurred as a result of a defective compressor discharge pressure rotating air seal in the engine. The CDP malfunctioned because it did not have the required metallic bond coating applied to the teeth of the seal during the refurbishment process of the part.
As a result, abrasive metal particles wore off of the top coating of the teeth and flowed into a reduced air flow cavity between the high pressure turbine shaft and the inner wall of the forward inner nozzle support. The trapped particles cut the inner wall of the FINS causing the structure to weaken and eventually fail. The fracture allowed the HPT nozzle to collapse on the HPT, resulting in seizure of the engine turbine.
The aircraft was from the 113th Fighter Squadron at the 181st Fighter Wing based at Terre Haute International Airport.
The report concluded the accident was caused by engine failure. According to the investigating officer, the accident occurred as a result of a defective compressor discharge pressure rotating air seal in the engine. The CDP malfunctioned because it did not have the required metallic bond coating applied to the teeth of the seal during the refurbishment process of the part.
As a result, abrasive metal particles wore off of the top coating of the teeth and flowed into a reduced air flow cavity between the high pressure turbine shaft and the inner wall of the forward inner nozzle support. The trapped particles cut the inner wall of the FINS causing the structure to weaken and eventually fail. The fracture allowed the HPT nozzle to collapse on the HPT, resulting in seizure of the engine turbine.
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