1/12/2012 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNS) -- Dual engine failure during a functional check flight caused the crash of an A-10C Thunderbolt II Sept. 26, 2011, according to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Jan. 11.
According to the report, the mishap aircraft's stall warning system malfunctioned at 15,000 feet, preventing stall warning tones from functioning properly. Without evidence of additional malfunctions, the mishap pilot continued the FCF.
At 34,000 feet, the mishap aircraft experienced a stall that quickly resulted in dual engine failure. The mishap pilot performed checklist items to recover the aircraft, but without success. The pilot located a controlled bailout area and safely ejected from the aircraft.
The aircraft crashed onto private property approximately 20 miles northwest of Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and was destroyed. The pilot did not sustain serious injuries. The aircraft loss is valued at approximately $14.7 million. The environmental clean-up costs are estimated at $150,000.
(Courtesy of the Air Combat Command Public Affairs Office.)
Comments
1/19/2012 1:49:29 PM ET pilot error caused the stall. Period. glad to see that Mx didn't take the fall for this. According to the Air Force Times, he had some kind of unauthorized over-the-counter stimulant in his blood. Not related to the accident though.
SrA, moody
1/15/2012 12:47:08 AM ET Jim this article unfortunately confuses an aircraft wing stall with an aircraft engine stall. An aircraf's stall warning system indicates when the wing's critical angle of attack is exceeded and it effectively ceases to produce lift. This loss of lift is the only thing that can cause a wing stall. Confusing the issue on the A-10 is the fact that the placement of the engines high and the rear of the wing can cause airflow to them to be blocked in the event of a high angle of attack which can cause the engines to shut down. This is usually referred to by pilots as a flame-out instead of a stall in order to not confuse the issue. Hope this helps.
