LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Extreme fogging in the aircraft cockpit caused an F-16C Fighting Falcon to depart the runway July 28, 2011, at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis., according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released today.
The jet and pilot are assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field, Ala. The pilot was number two of a two-ship formation on a training mission to the Air Venture 2011 air show at the Wittman Regional Airport when the accident occurred.
According to the report, the aircraft's environmental control system caused extreme fogging that completely obscured the pilot's visual cues and severely affected correct execution of normal landing procedures. The pilot applied the defog procedure without success. Without the necessary visual clues, the pilot did not apply adequate aerobraking which increased his landing distance.
The aircraft departed from the prepared runway surface and came to a rest approximately 300 feet into the grass infield. The pilot exited the aircraft unharmed. The aircraft damage is estimated at $5.4 million. There was minor damage to airport property, but there were no injuries or casualties. Released, FMI: ACC-USAF
The jet and pilot are assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field, Ala. The pilot was number two of a two-ship formation on a training mission to the Air Venture 2011 air show at the Wittman Regional Airport when the accident occurred.
According to the report, the aircraft's environmental control system caused extreme fogging that completely obscured the pilot's visual cues and severely affected correct execution of normal landing procedures. The pilot applied the defog procedure without success. Without the necessary visual clues, the pilot did not apply adequate aerobraking which increased his landing distance.
The aircraft departed from the prepared runway surface and came to a rest approximately 300 feet into the grass infield. The pilot exited the aircraft unharmed. The aircraft damage is estimated at $5.4 million. There was minor damage to airport property, but there were no injuries or casualties. Released, FMI: ACC-USAF