The USAF explains – in part – how a mud hen went down in Libya during the late unpleasantness:
At the conclusion of the investigation, the board president, Col. Scott Shapiro, USAFE Chief of Strategic Airlift Capabilities, found clear and convincing evidence that the cause of the mishap was the aircraft’s sudden departure from controlled flight because it exceeded the critical angle of attack during an Air Force-approved combat maneuver. Other contributing factors to this accident include the pilot conducting an AF-wide acceptable maneuver for the F-15E at a previously untested altitude and lateral asymmetry (unbalanced aircraft).
Both the pilot and weapons systems officer survived the crash by successfully ejecting before the aircraft impacted in an unpopulated area near Benghazi. Remains of the aircraft were later destroyed so critical systems information and equipment could not be salvaged by foreign forces.
Another good reason to leave flight test to test pilots.
High AOA can bite you hard…especially with asymmetric stores.
I’d bet they were low, too…you don’t test spin characteristics at low altitude. Too much likelihood of not going home to the family.
“…an Air Force-approved combat maneuver.”
Kinda reinforces the notion that the AF rule book lists the things you CAN do, and if it’s not written down, don’t even think about it. OTOH, the Navy rule book lists the things you CAN’T do, and if it’s not written down, use your best judgement.
I think the list of “Air Force-approved combat maneuvers” is about to get smaller.
In today’s PC USAF shrinking-budget, bean-counting RIF environment? Just step off the recovery chopper and head straight to the Base Personnel office and put in your papers–don’t even wait for the accident investigation team to be assembled or Flight Review Board to convene..
I gots a question for you, Virgil, and for Fliterman, as well, since you are our resident Phantom Phliers around here. If I were to take a brand new F-4B, and a Brand new F-4C, and strip the Navy specific electronics out of the B, and the USAF specific electronics out of the C, would I wind up with two identical airframes? Ot are thier structural differences between USN and USAF Phantoms?
There are structural difference, although I don’t remember most of them. The AF version doesn’t fold wings is probably the biggest difference. I think the AF version also had the tailhook and associated machinery removed as well. Other than that I think they are almost identical. Flit and Virgil are welcome to correct me.
No, the AF birds also retained the tail-hook–came in useful with battle damage or emergencies on AF strips as well when used to take the “barrier” (BAK9/13, etc., Some were front end barriers, some t.o. end barriers.) Navy versions had strengthened landing gear (“undercarriage” for you RAF/RAAF types
) and balloon tires/tyres viz AF hi-pressure ones.
I love the lingo – “the plane departed from controlled flight” – bad aircraft!!
Assymetry – the science of measuring just how big an ass you made of yourself, after you did that thing you did.
Which in this case involved asymmetry, for extra points.
Sometimes you find yourself acting as a test pilot whether you like it or not. Perhaps he boxed himself in and had no choice because of previous choices. I have no idea. I would think, however, that he would have realized he had a small problem that could cause a big problem.
The really big problem, however, that he had utterly no control over, was he was there for no legal reason. But, that was the Obummer’s fault, not his.