F-16 accident report released

  • Published
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) --  A catastrophic engine failure caused an F-16D Fighting Falcon to crash in a marsh adjacent to the Ashley River near Charleston, S.C., on April 18, according to an Air Force report released Aug. 23.

The pilot and the passenger ejected from the aircraft and sustained minor injuries. The $23-million aircraft, assigned to 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., was destroyed on impact.

According to the Accident Investigation Board report, the high-pressure turbine rotor in the engine failed, resulting in a significant loss of thrust. The pilot attempted three engine restarts while maneuvering for a straight-in flameout approach to the runway at Charleston AFB, S.C. When he realized the aircraft might be unable to safely reach the runway, he steered it toward the unpopulated marshland and initiated a successful dual ejection. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)