Brian udell biography

List of F losses

This is a list of losses involving the F including the F Eagle, FE Strike Eagle, Mitsubishi FJ and other F variants. None have been confirmed as lost by air-to-air combat.[1]

Accidents and losses

United States

As of January , USAF F aircraft had been destroyed in mishaps, with 59 fatalities. This was a lifetime average of aircraft destroyed per year, or aircraft destroyed per , flight hours.[2]

s

  • 14 October FAMC, , c/n /A, of the th TFTS, 58th TFTW, USAF, crashed W of Minersville, Utah, due to electrical smoke/fire from generator failure; pilot ejects safely. This was the first F crash.[3][4]
  • 28 February FA, , of the rd FWS, 57th FWW, USAF, mid-air collision with an F-5E, Nellis AFB, Nevada. Pilot ejected and survived.[3]
  • 6 December FB, , of the rd FWS, 57th FWW, USAF, crashed Nellis AFB, both crew killed.[3]
  • 8 February FA, , of the th TFTS, 58th TFTW, USAF, lost in a ground incident.[3]
  • 17 April FA, , of the th TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed into the North Sea off Cromer, Norfolk, UK. Pilot lived.[3]
  • 15 June FA, , of the 53rd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed into the North Sea. Pilot ejected and survived.[3]
  • 6 July FA, , of the 53rd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Ahlhorn, West Germany. Pilot was killed.[3]
  • 1 September FA, , of the 71st TFS, 1st TFW, USAF, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Norfolk, VA.[3]
  • 19 December FA, , of the th TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Ahlhorn, West Germany. Pilot ejected and survived.[3]
  • 28 December FA, , of the 22nd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Daun, West Germany. Pilot ejected and survived.[3]
  • 29 December FA, , of the rd FWS, 57th FWW, USAF, crashed on Nellis AFB.[3]
  • 16 February FA, , of the 9th TFS, 49th TFW, USAF, crashed on Nellis AFB.[3]
  • 12 March FA, , of the 9th TFS, 49th TFW, USAF, crashed near El Paso, TX.[3]
  • 25 April FB, , of McDonnell Douglas, crashed near Fredericktown, Missouri. Test pilot killed.[3]
  • 3 June FA, , of the 53rd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed on takeoff at Bitburg Air Base, West Germany.[3]
  • 13 September FA, , of the 57th FWW, USAF, crashed on Nellis AFB.[3]
  • 3 October FA, , of the 9th TFS, 49th TFW, USAF, crashed near NAS Fallon, NV after colliding with FA which landed safely.[3]

s

  • 4 March FA, , of the 22nd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Baden-Baden, West Germany.[3]
  • 6 March FA, , of the 22nd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Bitburg Air Base, West Germany.[3]
  • 10 March FA, , of the 27th TFS, 1st TW, USAF, burned on flight line, Langley AFB, VA.[3]
  • 25 July FA, , of the th TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Spangdahlem, West Germany.[3]
  • 21 January FB, , of the 57th FWW, USAF, destroyed in a mid-air collision with an F-5E. Both crew killed as well as F-5E crew.[3]
  • 17 February FA, , of the th TFTS, th TTW, USAF, crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Pilot ejected but did not survive.[3]
  • 23 June FC, , of the th TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Bremen, West Germany.[3]
  • 12 September FCMC, , c/n /C, of the 22nd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed while attempting to land during an airshow at Soesterberg AB Netherlands.[3] Aircraft had just been delivered to the 36th TFW and had only hours on the clock. Pilot did not eject but was safe.[5]
  • 2 November FA, , of the 59th TFS, 33rd TFW, USAF, destroyed in a mid-air collision with F . Pilot of killed, but F landed safely.[3]
  • 15 December FA, , of the st TFTS, 58th TFTW, USAF, crashed near Phoenix, Arizona.[3] Pilot died.[6]
  • 6 April FC, , of the 12th TFS, 18th TFW, USAF, crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa. Pilot ejected and survived.[7]
  • 22 December FC, , assigned to the th TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Herschbach, West Germany shortly after takeoff from Bitburg AB on a Zulu Alert training sortie. Pilot Capt. Jeff "Wedge" Roether of the 53rd TFS was killed, no ejection was attempted. The accident board found that a recurring cabin pressure problem that caused the pilot to lose consciousness was the cause of the crash.[7]
  • 28 December FC, , of the 67th TFS, 18th TFW, USAF, collided with FC and crashed in the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa. Pilot ejected and survived.[7]
  • 28 December FC, , of the 67th TFS, 18th TFW, USAF, collided with FC and crashed in the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa. Pilot was killed.[7]
  • 4 January FC, , of the 94th TFS, 1st TFW, USAF, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina. Pilot ejected and survived.[7]
  • 4 February FA, , of the 59th TFS, 33rd TFW, USAF, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico near Tyndall AFB. Pilot ejected and survived.[7]
  • 9 May FA, , of the 7th TFS, 49th TFW, USAF, crashed at White Sands MR, New Mexico. Pilot ejected and survived.[7]
  • 1 June FC, , of the 53rd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, collided with FC and crashed near Kusel, West Germany. Pilot ejected and survived.[7]
  • 1 June FC, , of the 53rd TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, collided with FC and crashed near Kusel, West Germany. Pilot was killed.[7]
  • 10 June FA, , of the 59th TFS, 33rd TFW, USAF, collided with F-5E . FA pilot ejected and survived. F-5E pilot was killed.[7]
  • 9 March FA, , of the 43rd TFS, 21st TFW, USAF, crashed near Goose Bay, Alaska.[7] Pilot ejected and survived.[8]
  • 10 April FC, , of the th TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed near Lommersdorf, West Germany.[7] Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 17 August FB, , of the 43rd TFS, 21st TFW, USAF, crashed into a mountain in low visibility near Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.[7] Crew were both killed.[6][9]
  • 17 August FB, , of the 1st TFTS, th TTW, USAF, collided with F-4E and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.[7] One dead, two survivors. FB pilot survived, no other crew aboard the two seat FB.[10]
  • 20 March FA, , of the 43rd TFS, 21st TFW, USAF, crashed into the Yellow Sea near Kunsan AB, South Korea. Pilot was killed.[7]
  • 24 June FA, , of the 43rd TFS, 21st TFW, USAF, crashed on takeoff in the Yukon River, Alaska. Pilot was killed.[7]
  • 9 September FA, , of the 43rd TFS, 21st TFW, USAF, crashed near Goose Bay, Alaska.[7] Pilot ejected and survived.[6][11]
  • 16 December FDMC, , c/n /D, of the th TW, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin AFB, Florida.[7] Both crew survived.[12]
  • 2 January FC, , of the 57th FIS, USAF, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Iceland. Pilot was killed.[7]
  • 7 January FC, , of the th TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed after colliding with FC near Rimschweiler, West Germany.[7] Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 7 January FC, , of the th TFS, 36th TFW, USAF, crashed after colliding with FC near Rimschweiler, West Germany.[7] Pilot was killed.[6]
  • 15 January FA, , of the 5th FIS, crashed into the top of a ridge in the Guadalupe Mountains, near the White Sands Missile Range.[7] Pilot was killed.[6]
  • 7 March FA, , of the th TFTS, th TTW, USAF, crashed after a mid-air collision with F [7] near Luke AFB. Pilot of one ejected and survived, the other did not eject and was killed.[13]
  • 7 March FA, , of the th TFTS, th TTW, USAF, crashed after a mid-air collision with F [7] near Luke AFB. The pilot of one ejected and survived, the other did not eject and was killed.[13]
  • 9 June FA , of the 67th TFS, 18th TFW, USAF, crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Kadana AB, Okinawa.[7] Pilot ejected and survived.[14]
  • 12 September FA, , of the 9th TFS, 49th TFW, USAF, crashed after colliding with FA . Pilot ejected and survived.[6] The 2nd FA landed safely.[7]
  • 9 March FA, , of the 9th TFS, 49th TFW, USAF, crashed near Holloman AFB, New Mexico. Pilot was killed.[7]
  • 19 May FC, , of the 44th TFS, 18th TFW, USAF, crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Kadena AB, Okinawa.[7] Pilot ejected and survived.[15]
  • 8 June FC, , of the 27th TFS, 1st TFW, USAF, crashed 15 miles east of Farmville, Virginia in Amelia County, Virginia.[16] Pilot was killed.[7]
  • 1 October FA, , of the 1st TFTS, th TTW, USAF, crashed in the Apalachicola National Forest, Florida. Pilot ejected and survived.[7]
  • 24 November FA, , of the th TFS, th TFW, Georgia ANG, crashed near Wadley, Georgia, after a mid-air collision with FB . FA pilot ejected and survived.[7] Stock car racer Bill Elliott was in the rear seat of the two seat FB, which recovered following the collision and landed safely.[17]
  • 8 November FC, , of the 21st TFW, crashed in low visibility into Barometer Mountain near Kodiak, Alaska.[6] The pilot was killed.[18]
  • 1 May FB, , c/n /B, of the 95th TFTS, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico near Tyndall AFB.[6] The pilot was killed and apparently did not eject.[19][20]
  • 18 May FA, , of the 2nd TFTS, th TFTW hit a support wire holding up a microwave relay tower near Frink, Florida. The pilot successfully recovered the stricken aircraft, albeit with extensive damage.[21]
  • 8 July FC, , of the 58th TFS, 33rd TFW, crashed near Lamison, Alabama. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 10 August FA, , of the 49th TFW, Holloman AFB, crashed at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 6 November FC, , crashed near Las Vegas, Nevada. Pilot ejected and survived.[6][22]
  • 28 December FC, , of the 59th TFS, 33 TFW, Eglin AFB, FL crashed into the Gulf of Mexico near Apalachicola, Florida. Pilot was killed.[6][23]

s

  • 16 January FD, , of the 21st TFW, crashed into Mount Susitna, Alaska in reduced visibility. Pilot was killed, no others aboard the 2-seat aircraft.[6]
  • 24 January FC, , of the 18th TFW, crashed in the South China Sea near Clark AFB, Philippines, after colliding with FC, , which landed safely. Pilot was missing, presumed dead.[6][24]
  • 15 March FA, , of the th TFTS, crashed near Wenden, Arizona.[6]
  • 25 April FC, , of the 32nd TFS, crashed in the North Sea off Spurn Head, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 30 September FE, , of the th TFS, crashed near Thumrait, Oman. Both crew were killed.[6]
  • 24 October FC, , of the th TFS, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off Decimomannu Air Base, Sardinia, Italy. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 17/18 January FEMC, 88‑, c/n /E, of the th FS, 4th TFW, USAF, was shot down by anti-aircraft artillery on the first day of Operation Desert Storm.[6][25][26]
  • 19/20 January FEMC, 88‑, c/n /E, of the th FS, 4th TFW, USAF, was shot down by an IraqiSA-2E missile during Operation Desert Storm. Both crew members ejected and were POWs.[6][25][26]
  • 27 March FC, , of the 12th TFS, 18th TFW, crashed near Osan Air Base, South Korea. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 16 September FEMC, , c/n /E, of the st TFS, th TTW, crashed 42 nautical miles south-south-west of Gila Bend, AZ. Both crew members survived.[27]
  • 15 January FA, , of the th TFS, th TFW, Georgia ANG, crashed in eastern Tennessee after colliding with FA . Pilot ejected and survived. landed at McGhee Tyson Airport, near Knoxville, TN.[6][28]
  • 21 January FC, , of the 57th FW, crashed at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 22 April FC, , of the 22nd TFS, 36th TFW, crashed near Dinkelsbühl, West Germany. Pilot was killed.[6][29]
  • 13 July FC, , of the 60th TFS, Eglin AFB, crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot ejected and survived.[6][30]
  • 10 August FE, , of the 57th FWW, crashed in Nevada. Both crew killed.[6]
  • 30 November FC, , of the 71st FS, 1st FW, crashed near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 15 March FC, , c/n /C, of the 95th FS, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico south of Tyndall AFB, Florida. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 12 June FA, , of the nd FS, Louisiana ANG, crashed near NAS New Orleans, Louisiana. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 17 December FA, , of the nd FS, th FG, Louisiana ANG, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Brunswick, Georgia after colliding with FA . FA pilot was killed, FA pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 4 April FC, , of the 44th FS, crashed on takeoff from Kadena AB, Okinawa. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 5 May FC, , of the 1st FS, th FS, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico while based out of Tyndall AFB. Pilot ejected at miles per hour (1,&#;km/h) and survived with serious injuries.[6][31]
  • 6 May FC, , of the 67th FS, crashed in the Yellow Sea, off Boryeong, South Korea, after colliding with FC . FC pilot ejected and survived, FC pilot was missing and presumed dead.[6][32]
  • 18 April FEMC, , c/n /E, of the th FS, 4th FW, USAF, lost during a training flight off the coast of North Carolina. The WSO, Capt Dennis White was killed during the supersonic ejection; the pilot, Capt Brian Udell survived one of the fastest known ejections in history at over miles per hour (1,&#;km/h) and about 3, feet (&#;m) above the ocean.[6][33][34]
  • 30 May FCMC, 79‑, c/n /C, of the 53rd FS, 52nd FW, USAF, Major Donald "Zane" Lowry was killed when his FC crashed at Spangdahlem AB in Germany. Investigation showed that during routine maintenance, mechanics had crossed and mis-connected the control rods. Two mechanics were charged with negligent homicide. One committed suicide during his military trial. Charges against the other mechanic were dropped.[6][35]
  • 3 August FC, , of the 67th FS, crashed in the Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve, Alaska. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 18 October FC, , of the 44th FS, crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Kadena AB, Okinawa. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 21 March FC, , 27th FS, 1st FW, crashed on takeoff at Nellis AFB during Exercise Green Flag. Pilot ejected and survived.[6][36]
  • 27 August FC, , th FS, crashed south west of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. Bearing 5 failure resulting in #2 engine catastrophic failure which liberated the turbine disc cutting #1 engine in half. Pilot ejected and survived.[6][37]
  • 10 January FC, , of the 58th FS, 33rd FW, destroyed by fire at Eglin AFB, pilot escaped.[38]
  • 11 July FE, , of the th FS, crashed into the Alligator River in North Carolina. Crew both ejected and survived.[6]
  • 24 November FC, , of the 94th FS, 1st FW, USAF, crashed in the Atlantic Ocean off Virginia. Pilot ejected and survived.[38]
  • 5 June FA, , of the nd FS, th FW, USAF, crashed on takeoff beyond the runway end at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana. Pilot ejected and survived.[38]
  • 21 October FEMC, , c/n /E, of the st FS, th FW, USAF, at Mountain Home, ID, was lost on a night terrain-following training sortie. Both crewmembers were killed: pilot Lt Col William "Willy" aka "Skunk" Morel and WSO, Capt Jeff "Flounder" Fahnlander.[6]
  • 28 January FC, , of the 85th TES, 53rd WG, USAF, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin AFB after colliding with FC . Pilot ejected and survived.[38]
  • 28 January FC, , of the 85th TES, 53rd WG, USAF, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin AFB after colliding with FC . Pilot ejected and survived.[38]
  • 15 or 19 June FC, , of the nd TES, 57th FWW, USAF, crashed at Nellis AFB after colliding with FD . Pilot ejected and survived.[38][39]
  • 15 or 19 June FD, , of the FLTS, th TW, USAF, crashed at Nellis AFB after colliding with FC . Pilot ejected and survived, apparently only one crewmember on board the two seat FD.[38][39]
  • 19 August FA, , of the th FS, st FW, MO ANG, crashed near Lindbergh, Missouri after colliding with FA . Pilot ejected and survived, the other FA landed safely at St. Louis-Lambert.[38][40]

s

  • 26 March FCMC, , c/n /C, of the d FS, 48th FW, USAF, two US Air Force FCs crashed near the summit of Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms during a low flying training exercise over the Scottish Highlands with low visibility.[41] Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth John Hyvonen died in the accident as did Captain Kirk Jones in the second F[6] USAF investigators cited a breakdown in terrain avoidance responsibilities between the pilots and ground controllers.[42] In , an RAF air traffic controller was found not guilty during a court martial.[43] In , the RAF Board of Inquiry stated that the pilots were partly responsible for accepting a clearly unsafe air traffic control instruction.[44]
  • 26 March FCMC, , c/n /C, of the d FS, 48th FW, USAF, in formation with above, crashed near the summit of Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms. Captain Kirk Jones died in the accident.[6][42]
  • 30 April FCMC, , c/n /C, of the 46th Test Wing, based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, crashed in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 60 miles south of Panama City, Florida, killing test pilot Maj. James A. Duricy, assigned to the 40th Test Squadron, 46th Test Wing. An Accident Investigation Board determined that the crash was caused by the structural failure of the honeycomb material supporting the leading edge of the port vertical stabilizer during a high-speed test dive. A section of the leading edge, approximately 6&#;×&#;3 feet, broke away.[45]
  • 21 August FC, , of the 18th FW, crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Kadena AB, Okinawa. Pilot ejected and survived.[38][46]
  • 17 March FC, , of the d TES, 53d WG, crashed after colliding with FC . Pilot ejected and survived, the second FC landed safely at Nellis AFB.[38][47]
  • 7 April FEMC, , c/n /E, of the th FS, 4th FW, USAF, crashed during a combat bombing mission near Tikrit, Iraq during the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Both the pilot, Capt. Eric Das of Amarillo, Texas and Weapon Systems Officer (WSO), Major William R. Watkins III of South Boston, VA were killed. From the investigation of the crash site neither man tried to eject, and the aircraft was destroyed in the crash.[26][48]
  • 4 June FEMC, , c/n /E, of the th FS, 4th FW, USAF, crashed in an unpopulated wooded area of Johnston County near Four Oaks, North Carolina. The mishap crew ejected and sustained only minor injuries. The crash was due to a malfunction of the right stabilator which caused the aircraft to go into an unrecoverable spin.[49]
  • 6 May FEMC, , c/n /E, of the th FS, 4th FW, USAF, out of Seymour Johnson AFB crashed near a rural area outside of Roanoke, VA during a low-level training mission. The two pilots parachuted to safety and reported only minor injuries.[50][51]
  • 21 May FC, , of the th FW, crashed along the shore of St. George Island in the Gulf of Mexico after pilot accidentally pulled the ejection handle. Pilot survived.[38][52]
  • 18 June FC, , of the 57th WG, crashed near Nellis AFB, Nevada.[38] Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 25 March FC, , of the 53d WG,[38] crashed at Nellis AFB. Pilot ejected and survived.[6]
  • 17 January F, , of the 44th FS, 18th FW, USAF, crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Kadena AB, Okinawa. Pilot ejected and survived.[53]
  • 30 May FD, , of the st FW, Missouri ANG, crashed 8 miles south of Vincennes, Indiana. Pilot ejected and survived, no second crewmember aboard.[54]
  • 11 June FC, , of the 71st FS, 1st FW, crashed west of Eielson AFB, Alaska after colliding with FC during Red Flag exercise. Pilot ejected and survived. The FC was damaged but landed safely.[55]
  • 26 June FA, of the d FS, d FW, Oregon ANG, crashed into the Pacific Ocean west of Arch Cape, Oregon. Pilot was killed and apparently did not eject.[56]
  • 2 November FCMC, , c/n /C, of the st Fighter Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, crashed during air combat maneuvering training near St. Louis, Missouri. The pilot, Maj. Stephen W. Stilwell, ejected but suffered serious injuries. The crash was the result of an in-flight breakup due to structural failure. On 3 November , all non-mission critical models of the F were grounded pending the outcome of the crash investigation,[57] and on the following day, grounded non-mission critical Fs engaged in combat missions in the Middle East.[58] By 13 November over 1, were grounded worldwide after Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia grounded their aircraft as well.[59] FEs were cleared on 15 November pending aircraft passing inspections.[60] On 8 January , the USAF cleared 60 percent of the FA-D fleet for return to flight.[61] On 10 January , the accident review board released its report stating the 2 November crash was related to the longeron not meeting drawing specifications.[62] The Air Force cleared all its grounded FA-D fighters for flight on 15 February pending inspections, reviews and any needed repairs.[63] In March , Stilwell, the injured pilot, filed a lawsuit against Boeing, the F's manufacturer.[64]
  • 1 February FD, , of the th Wing, Hawaii ANG, crashed in the Pacific Ocean near Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Pilot ejected and survived.[6][65]
  • 20 February FCMC, , c/n /C, of the 58th FS, 33d FW, USAF, Eglin AFB, Florida, one of two FC Eagles that collided over the Gulf of Mexico approximately 50 miles south of Tyndall AFB, Florida, killing 1st Lt. Ali Jivanjee. Capt. Tucker Hamilton ejected from the other fighter and survived. Both pilots ejected and one was rescued from the Gulf by the fishing boat Niña, owned by Bart Niquet of Lynn Haven, Florida, which was guided to the pilot by an HCA Ocean Sentry aircraft. A 1st SOW ACH and an MV Osprey were also diverted to the scene to help search as were five Coast Guard aircraft and two vessels. An HHJ Jayhawk from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, Mobile, Alabama lifted the pilot from the fishing boat and evacuated him to the Eglin Hospital. The second pilot was rescued from the Gulf by an HHJ Jayhawk from CGAS Clearwater and also taken to the Eglin Hospital. One pilot subsequently died several hours later from his injuries.[66] An accident investigation released 25 August found that the accident was the result of pilot error and not mechanical failure. Both pilots failed to clear their flight paths and anticipate their impending high-aspect, midair impact, according to Brig. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., Air Combat Command's inspector general who led the investigation.[67][68]
  • 20 February FCMC, , c/n /C, of the 58th FS, 33d FW, USAF, Eglin AFB, Florida, one of two FC Eagles that collided over the Gulf of Mexico as above.[68]
  • 30 July FDMC, , c/n /D, of the 65th Aggressor Squadron, 57th ATG, at Nellis Air Force Base, departed controlled flight and entered into a spin while executing a planned maneuver during exercise Red Flag 08–3. The aircraft was destroyed after impacting the ground 20 miles northwest of Rachel, Nevada in an uninhabited area on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) belonging to the Bureau of Land Management. Both aircrew ejected. The back seat observer pilot sustained minor injuries and was rescued; the front seat pilot hit the ground before his parachute fully deployed and died upon ground impact. There were no civilian casualties or additional damage.[69]
  • 18 July FEMC, , c/n /E, of the th FS, 4th FW, USAF, crashed in central Afghanistan, killing the two crew members.[70][71]

s

  • 22 March FEMC, , c/n /E, of the nd FS "Bolars", 48th FW, USAF, from RAF Lakenheath crashed near Benghazi, Libya in Operation Odyssey Dawn. Both crewmen ejected safely and were recovered by friendly forces. Equipment problems with weapons interface software and the right external fuel tank led to a strong right-wing weight imbalance, which caused the aircraft to enter a flat spin during a low-speed, high altitude, degree bank-angle right turn. The mishap investigation board found the cause of the crash to be lack of published knowledge on FE maneuvering with large external store weight imbalances at high altitude.[72]
  • 24 October FCMC, , c/n /C, of the nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base crashed near Alamo, Nevada. The pilot ejected and was picked up by an Air Force helicopter a half hour later. No injuries were reported. The resulting USAF investigation attributed the crash to six contributing factors, including a problem with the plane's radome and the pilot's subsequent actions.[73]
  • 28 March FEMC, , c/n /E, of the st EFS, th FW, USAF, deployed from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, crashed due to an accident approximately 15 miles outside a base in Southwest Asia. The pilot, Capt. Francis D. "Piston" Imlay, 31, of Vacaville, California died from his injuries. The WSO suffered minor injuries only.[74][75]
  • 3 May FEMC, , c/n /E, of the st EFS, th FW, USAF, deployed from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, crashed on a "routine training flight" in Southwest Asia. Both crew members ejected safely and no one on the ground was injured.[76] An investigation found that, for unknown reasons, titanium components in the right engine had ignited, resulting in complete loss of aircraft hydraulics and electrical power, which made the aircraft unflyable.[77]
  • 27 May FCMC, , c/n /C, of the 44th FS, 18th FW, USAF, crashed off the southern Japan island of Okinawa after the aircraft developed problems in flight. The pilot ejected and was recovered safely. The F, flying out of Kadena Air Base, went down in the Pacific about 70 miles east of Okinawa.[78][79]
  • 27 August FCMC, , c/n /C, of the th FW, Massachusetts Air National Guard, crashed near Deerfield, VA. The jet went down shortly after 9 AM south east of Deerfield, VA. The jet was en route to Louisiana from Westfield, Massachusetts. Investigation at the scene of the crash show that the pilot never ejected.[80]

s

Israel

  • 29 September Squadron FA was lost in a landing accident. Pilot Guy Golan was killed.[90]
  • 1 May during an Israeli Air Force training dogfight, Squadron FD Markia Schakim (Sky soarer) collided with an A-4 Skyhawk. Unknown to pilot Zivi Nedivi and his copilot, the right wing of the Eagle was sheared off roughly two feet (60&#;cm) from the fuselage. The F entered a controllable spin after the collision. Zivi decided to attempt recovery and engaged afterburner to increase speed, allowing him to regain control of the aircraft. The pilot was able to prevent stalling and maintain control because of the lift generated by the large horizontal surface area of the fuselage, the stabilators and remaining wing areas. The F landed at twice the normal speed to maintain the necessary lift, and its tailhook was torn off completely during the landing during a failed attempt at using the emergency arresting gear installed on the runway to bring the aircraft to a halt. Zivi managed to bring his F to a complete stop approximately 20&#;ft (6&#;m) from the end of the runway. He was later quoted as saying "(I) probably would have ejected if I knew what had happened."[91][92] The A-4 was destroyed in the collision.
  • 1 April Squadron FD HaNamer HaMeofef (Flying Leopard), the lead aircraft of operation Wooden Leg, crashed following a low speed flat spin. Pilot Yiftach Mor is killed, navigator Ofer Paz ejected successfully.[93]
  • 25 August FA Tornado collided with FA HaArpad (The Vampire), killing both pilots, Squadron commander Ram Caller and pilot Ehud Falk.[94]
  • 10 February Squadron FC Peres (Bearded vulture), 80–, crashed during a training sortie. Pilot Israel Ornan ejected but drowned.[90][95]
  • 10 August Squadron FD , 80–, suffered a birdstrike. Ronen Lev and Yaron Vayonte are killed.[90]
  • 19 January Squadron FB crashed, crew Kfir and Yuval were recovered.[90]
  • 1 March FB Keren Or (Ray of Light), 73–, crashed during a strike training mission near Nablus. Squadron junior deputy commander Uri Kolton and navigator Uri Manor were killed when the aircraft hit an antenna on top of a mountain obscured by clouds.[96]

Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) lost ten Mitsubishi FJ/DJ aircraft from to [97]

  • 20 October FDJ, , of the nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, crashed, both crew killed.[6][97]
  • 13 March FJ, , of the th Tactical Fighter Squadron, crashed, pilot killed.[97]
  • 29 June FJ, , of the rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, collided with JASDF FJ, 22–, pilot killed.[97]
  • 2 July FJ, , of the th Tactical Fighter Squadron, crashed, pilot killed.[97][98]
  • 13 December FDJ, , of the st Tactical Fighter Squadron, crashed, pilot injured after low altitude ejection.[97][99]
  • 27 October FJ, , of the th Tactical Fighter Squadron, crashed, pilot ejected but died later.[97]
  • 6 October FDJ, , of the nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, crashed, both crew ejected and rescued.[6][97]
  • 22 November FJ, , of the rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Komatsu AFB, JASDF, during air-intercept training over the Sea of Japan, flown by Lt. Tatsumi Higuchi was shot down by an AIM-9L Sidewinder missile accidentally fired by his wingman. The pilot ejected safely.[6][97][]
  • 5 July FJ, , of the th Tactical Fighter Squadron, During a training flight the FJ crashed in the East China Sea about kilometres ( miles) northwest of Naha city on Okinawa island. The aircraft's speed brake and part of a wing were found about an hour later. The pilot, Major Yuji Kawakubo, was not found and is presumed dead.[][]

South Korea

  • 7 June FK, ROKAF, crashed off the coast of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, during a nighttime intercept training mission, killing both crew members. The Republic of Korea Air Force commissioned a full investigation. The ROKAF later issued a public statement saying that the accident was apparently caused by both crew members entering a state of g-LOC that lasted 16 seconds and resulted in loss of control of the aircraft. Subsequent public outcry ensued with accusations of a cover-up because the blackbox was never recovered, and FKs are equipped with automatic GLC (G Limited Control anti g-LOC device) systems. In addition the crew members were both seasoned Air Force veterans and the claim that both lost consciousness simultaneously was questioned in the press.[] (However, ROKAF reported that FK models do not have automatic GLC as other F variants.)[]
  • 5 April FK Slam Eagle crashed in the Yuhak mountain range in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang, on its way back to the Daegu Air Base after an hour-long mission. Two FK pilots killed in plane crash.

Saudi Arabia

  • May FC, s/n , 12 Squadron[97]
  • 1 September FC, s/n , 6 Squadron, collision with RSAF FC [97]
  • 30 August FC, 5 Squadron, crashed near Al Hesa, Saudi Arabia.[97]
  • 3 July FC, collision with RSAF FC, eastern Saudi Arabia, pilot killed.[97]
  • 23 May FC, crash at night east of Riyadh, pilot killed.[97]
  • 23 May F, Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), crashed during a training flight in eastern Saudi Arabia from King Abdulaziz Air Base. The pilot died in the crash. The cause of the crash was unknown and under investigation the next day.[]
  • 26 March FS, RSAF, crashed in the Gulf of Aden during a mission on Yemen. The two crew members ejected and were rescued by a US Armed Forces HH from Djibouti 26 March at around UTC, two hours after making a request for assistance.[]
  • 26 July FSA, RSAF, crashed during a training mission in Khamis Mushait at King Khalid Air Base, Crew killed.[]
  • 7 December FSA, RSAF, crashed during a training mission in King Abdulaziz Air Base killing its two crew members on board.[]

References

Notes

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  2. ^"F Flight Mishap History, AFD"(PDF). . 8 January Archived from the original(PDF) on 25 October Retrieved 11 October
  3. ^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaDavies and Didly , p.
  4. ^"Crash of ". . Archived from the original on 18 October Retrieved 10 October
  5. ^USAF (6 October ). "USAF Mishap Report FC "(PDF). . Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 October Retrieved 10 October
  6. ^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatauavawaxay"F Eagle Losses and Ejections". – Project Get Out and Walk. Archived from the original on 21 December Retrieved 2 March
  7. ^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeDavies and Didly , p.
  8. ^"Jet crashes; Pilot safe". New Mexican. Santa Fe, NM. 10 March
  9. ^"Jet crewmen die in crash". Daily Sitka Sentinel. Sitka, Alaska. Associated Press. 21 August
  10. ^"Air Force jets crash, one dead". News Herald. Panama City. 18 August (Davies , p lists this as 21 August )
  11. ^"Air Force Fighters Crash". European Stars And Stripes. 11 September
  12. ^Jackson, Josie F. (17 December ). "Eglin vice commander ejects from jet fighter". News Herald. Panama City, FL.
  13. ^ ab"Air Force pilot killed in crash". Chronicle Telegram. Elyria, Ohio. 9 March
  14. ^"Pilot, crew members eject safely in separate incidents". Pacific Stars And Stripes. 12 June
  15. ^"Pilot ejects from F fighter". Pacific Stars And Stripes. 21 May
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  25. ^ abHaulman, Dr. Daniel L. (9 December ). "Aircraft Combat Losses –"(PDF). Air Force Historical Society Report. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 September Retrieved 9 October
  26. ^ abc"USAF serials – ". . Archived from the original on 16 October Retrieved 11 October
  27. ^"FEMC, ". . Archived from the original on 18 October Retrieved 11 October
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  35. ^Thompson, Mark (24 June ). "Placing Blame at any Cost". TIME.
  36. ^"F Pilot Ejects Before Fiery Crash". European Stars And Stripes. 23 March
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  38. ^ abcdefghijklmDavies and Didly , p.
  39. ^ ab"Nellis pilot's actions faulted". Las Vegas Sun. 23 December Archived from the original on 20 October Retrieved 16 October
  40. ^"F crashes after mid-air accident". Democrat. Sedalia, Missouri. 21 August
  41. ^"Second body found at F crash site". . 30 March Archived from the original on 17 August Retrieved 8 March
  42. ^ ab"Summary of Aircraft Accident Investigation FC and "(PDF). . Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 March Retrieved 9 October
  43. ^"Air controller found not guilty". . 25 February Archived from the original on 23 August Retrieved 8 March
  44. ^"Crash controller 'partly blamed". . 6 February Archived from the original on 9 February Retrieved 18 July
  45. ^Books, Kenneth (22 February ). "Mid-air collision kills pilot". Eglin Flyer. Niceville, Florida: Bayou Enterprises, Inc. p.&#;9.
  46. ^"FC Kadena 21 Aug 02"(PDF). . Archived from the original(PDF) on 4 March Retrieved 18 October
  47. ^"FC (2) Nellis 17 Mar 03"(PDF). . Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 March Retrieved 18 October
  48. ^ZAPCOM. "Boeing F 'Eagle'". ZAPCOM. Archived from the original on 26 July Retrieved 20 December : CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  50. ^"F Crashes in Virginia". . Associated Press. 7 May Archived from the original on 15 October Retrieved 17 August
  51. ^"Summary of Aircraft Accident Investigation FE "(PDF). . Archived from the original(PDF) on 16 February Retrieved 9 October
  52. ^"FC Tyndall 21 May "(PDF). . Archived from the original(PDF) on 16 February Retrieved 16 October
  53. ^"FC 17 Jan 06"(PDF). . Archived from the original(PDF) on 4 March Retrieved 16 October
  54. ^"FD Evansville 30 May 07"(PDF). . Archived from the original(PDF) on 16 February Retrieved 16 October
  55. ^"FC Eielson 11 Jun 07"(PDF). . Archived from the original(PDF) on 16 February Retrieved 16 October
  56. ^"FA Portland 26 June 07"(PDF). . Archived from the original(PDF) on 4 March Retrieved 16 October
  57. ^Air Force suspends some F operations. U.S. Air Force, 4 November
  58. ^"Air Force grounds Fs in Afghanistan after Missouri crash"Archived 11 January at the Wayback Machine. CNN, 5 November
  59. ^