[Mat_Helm]

In all probability after he came off target he most likely did not go weapons safe and turn off the master arm switch and than hit the trigger accidently with a hot pickle. There is remote chance it was an electrical malfunction or mission computer failure but that is why the master arm switch is always placed back into the safe position immediately after coming off of target. At that altitude he may have accidently hit the trigger thinking the master arm was still safe and the master arm switch was faulty.

In any case he did not treat his F-16 control stick like a weapon an did not follow the cardinal rule of all firearms: Never point your gun muzzle or the nose of your F-16 at anything with your finger on the trigger unless you are intending to shoot and even with the safety on always point your weapon in a safe direction and never with your finger on the trigger.

[Gunrunner2]

Assuming he actually pulled the trigger. Not determined if that was the case.