Report: Misaligned rollers caused B-1B accident

  • Published
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) --  Misaligned rollers on the crew entry ladder assembly created an abort condition that was the primary cause of a B-1B Lancer mishap during a mission qualification and currency training mission Nov. 23 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., according to Air Force investigators.

They determined the aborted takeoff was caused when the main caution panel "entry ladder" warning light came on following the thud of the misaligned crew entry ladder assembly after it came loose. The high-speed abort caused the brakes to overheat, leading to an explosion and a fire in the number eight landing gear. Factors that contributed to the accident included the aircraft's weight at the time of the high-speed abort and an antiskid sensor failure.

The crew -- the pilot, co-pilot, defensive systems officer and offensive systems officer -- exited the aircraft uninjured. The aircraft, assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth, sustained more than $962,800 in damage. There was no other damage to government or private property. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)