F-16 accident investigation complete

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Air Force officials have completed their investigation of the April 11 F-16 Fighting Falcon accident near Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., which resulted in the loss of the 56th Fighter Wing aircraft.

The accident investigation board determined the cause of this mishap to be an engine explosion. 

The board report said the explosion was a result of the engine's rear compressor variable vane system malfunctioning.  According to the report, "Analysis of the available data (cited) the most probable cause of the malfunction was the (compressor vane) system's (electro-hydraulic servo valve)." This resulted in incorrect throttle response to the pilot's commands, putting fuel into a hot, but shut-off engine. This event caused an explosion in the engine and ultimately a non-recoverable engine stagnation and crash.

The pilot, Capt. Jason Attaway, assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron, had just departed Luke AFB as the second aircraft in a two-ship formation on a basic fighter maneuver mission when the engine malfunctioned.

At the direction of the instructor pilot, Maj. Steven Speckhard, Captain Attaway attempted to return to the base, but with the loss of engine thrust the F-16 began losing airspeed and altitude. When Captain Attaway realized he would not be able to make it back to the runway at Luke AFB, he leveled the wings and ejected.

The aircraft crashed into a cornfield and was completely destroyed. The environmental clean-up was accomplished at the crash site after wreckage removal and the field was returned for agricultural use.

The AIB was headed by Col. Kevin Kriner of the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance AFB, Okla.