Posted on 12/01/2014 6:10:13 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
A U.S. Air Force pilot taking part in Operation Inherent Resolve was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed due to maintenance problems, according to the Pentagon.
The crash occurred late Sunday Washington time.
The Defense Department is calling it a “noncombat-related incident”, but acknowledged the aircraft was on its way to Iraq or Syria to participate in ongoing operations against the Islamic State when things went wrong.
“The aircraft was returning to its base in the Middle East” when the crash occurred, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said. “Apparently there were some maintenance problems on takeoff. It turned around and unfortunately was not able to land.”
No one was injured beside the pilot, according to Warren.
First responders remain on the scene and the cause of the crash is under investigation, he said.
It was unclear Monday why the pilot was unable to eject before the aircraft crashed, Warren said.
The name of the pilot will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.
The crash did not occur in Iraq or Syria, Warren noted. He declined to identify which country the pilot and aircraft were stationed in due to host nation sensitivities.
The pilot’s death constitutes the third U.S. military fatality from Operation Inherent Resolve. On Oct. 23, Marine Lance Cpl. Sean Neal died in Iraq from a noncombat related injury. On Oct. 1, Marine Cpl. Jordan Spears was lost at sea while conducting flight operations in the North Arabian Gulf.
Here’s a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old
Then down we roar to score the rainbow’s pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!
God bless this airman!
Maybe they weren’t able to account for the seat safing pin. Far as “maintenance”, that’s the only thing I can think of in this kind of situation. Otherwise, they’d go with something like “catastrophic failure” or “pilot error”.
It happens, I saw seat belts put in backwards. Then upon correction the seat was put in incorrectly.
then there’s the front landing gear put on wrong, causing them to collapse breaking the pilots neck.
Maintenance problems happen unfortunately.
I noticed that, too.
I wonder if the terminology was just a matter if ignorance on the part of those reporting on the incident, or if they really meant “maintenance problem”.
Depends on the mechanical failure.
Final report may read just like that.
Damnation!
Always important but never a good ping when a pilot dies :(
Prayers for the family.
The F16 is an inherently UNstable aircraft ... the fly-by-wire computer keeps it from crashing. Lose the computer(s), lose the aircraft.
My first thought also, ejection seat safety pin not removed. But those things have very noticeable bright orange flags attached to them.
Its computers and its usually the engine.
How do they know it was due to maintenance problems?
I'm curious what they consider "maintenance problems". Stuff breaks...that's not maintenance. Are they saying mx did something wrong that caused the crash....
When and if I find out. I will let you know.
Singular ...
Still, it's a great aircraft with a long and favorable history. Sad to lose a pilot like this.
Prayers for his family. Too bad anyone had to die for this president’s Operation Incoherent Dissolve.
One wonders if the Air Force is short on spare parts a la Carter’s military and cutting corners on repairs.
I’d be surprised if they werent.
An F-16 crashed around a month ago at Tyndall. They recovered the body from the Gulf but I don’t think they know what kept him from ejecting.
The USAF said that it didn't happen in Iraq or Syria.
No mention of London, Twin Cities, or Buffalo, though.
I saw that. It had me confused. That squadron takes retired jets and converts them into drones so they can be shot down later.
The location of the crash is reported to be Jordan.
Hence “host nation sensitivities”.
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