Report: Stabilator failure caused F-15 crash Published Aug. 9, 2005 LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The failure of one of an F-15 Eagle's horizontal stabilators caused its pilot to lose control of his aircraft and crash during a training mission March 25, an Air Combat Command Investigation Board report on Aug. 9.The crash occurred during defensive basic fighter maneuver training with another aircraft about 45 miles north of Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., when the pilot was executing a left rudder roll and the aircraft went out of control and entered a low-rate erect spin. After five revolutions with no recovery, the pilot ejected safely with no injuries. The $47-million dollar aircraft was destroyed on impact.Investigators also determined the out-of-control/departure recovery checklist caused the aircraft's failure to recover from the spin. (Courtesy of ACC News Service)