Posted on 06/13/2006 6:11:40 PM PDT by SandRat
6/13/2006 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill (AFPN) -- The results of an investigation into the C-5 Galaxy crash at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on April 3 found that human error was the cause, Air Mobility Command officials released today.
The accident investigation board determined the pilots and flight engineers did not properly configure, maneuver and power the aircraft during approach and landing.
Following a normal takeoff and initial climb, the C-5 aircrew observed a No. 2 engine “Thrust Reverser Not Locked” indication light. They shut down the No. 2 engine as a precaution and returned to Dover AFB. The board determined that during the return to the base:
-- The pilots and flight engineers continued to use the shut-down No. 2 engine’s throttle while leaving the fully-operational No. 3 engine in idle.
-- Both instructor and primary flight engineers failed to brief, and pilots failed to consider and use, a proper flap setting.
-- The pilots’ attempt at a visual approach to runway 32 resulted in the aircraft descending well below a normal glidepath for an instrument-aided approach or the normal visual flight rules pattern altitude.
-- The aircraft commander failed to give a complete approach briefing that would have included non-standard factors, configuration, landing distance and missed approach intentions.
All 17 people on board the C-5 survived the crash, but three crewmembers were seriously injured when the aircraft stalled, hit a utility pole and crashed into a field about a mile short of the runway. The other passengers and crewmembers sustained minor injures and were treated and released from local hospitals.
The aircraft was assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing and was flown by members of the 512th Airlift Wing, a Reserve associate unit at Dover. It was bound for Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and was carrying 105,000 pounds of replenishment supplies for the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Aviation is serious business.
Cockpit Recorders Don't lie.
Randy, you said next week the report would be out, you sure meant early next week! :D
I received this in email a short time ago. No cover up here -- board told exactly what happened. Look how fast this report came out as opposed to civilian reports!
Well,... you know where real Honor resides.
What typically happens to the Flight Crew/Pilots with a finding such as this?
For that you'll have to find a former Flight Rated AF VetFReeper, I'm just a poor ground-pounder.
Thats a lot of hardware to entrust to a crew that does not know where the throttles are.
Perhaps there's something to be said for the move away from fly by wire.
It didn't have anything to do with the glass cockpit.
Task saturation (driven by the glass cockpit layout,) was a causal factor, according to my sources, one of which was in the investigation team.
Ok, well, one of the team members told ME that the glass cockpit had nothing to do with it. :D Dueling team members.
I'll send you his name if you want. He explained to it me at length. (more than i ever wanted to know!) :D
That's ok. I know quite a few of them, and it surprises me that they can say the aircrew made obviously wrong choices and decisions that led to the crash, on a newly modified aircraft, then say the mod had nothing to do with the crash.
hehe, don't ask me, my husband works on planes, not pilots them. And they are fighter jets, not the elephantine C-5.
Are you at Robins?? We live near there.
Nope...I am at Travis. We usually wind up picking up Dover's mess and helping them wipe their bottoms.
ugh! Bad visual. :D
Well if they are well connected like McLame nothing.
LOL exactly! And yet, so true.
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