Bird strike likely cause of crash [F-16]

Air Force Link ^ | 9/19/2003 | AFPN Staff

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

9/19/2003 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Air Force investigators determined an F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed after at least one Spot-billed Duck was ingested into the engine, resulting in catastrophic engine failure, according to a report released Sept. 18.

The May 29 crash happened off the end of the runway at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

The mishap pilot was the wingman in a two-ship formation on a night-training mission at the time of the accident. The pilot and a Korean on the ground were slightly injured in the crash.

According to the report, shortly after taking off, the pilot said he saw a grayish object flash in front of him followed by a loud band and an apparent fire in front of his aircraft. The pilot then experienced severe deceleration causing him to be thrown forward in the cockpit. He initiated emergency procedures for an engine fire by raising the nose of his aircraft and releasing his external fuel tanks. After assessing that the engine was not responding properly to his throttle inputs, the pilot ejected safely approximately 12 seconds after liftoff. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service)

[Cathryn Crawford]

He was cool.

[Smokin' Joe]

ANYTHING that poops on my car is EVIL!

[Cathryn Crawford]

All right! Someone else that agrees with me. :-)

[Squantos]

Suggestion to DOD ,replace stingers with heat seaking ducks !

Stay Safe !

[Scenic Sounds]

I not sure all birds are "demon-possessed" but definition all birds are sure little pecker heads.

Well, dammit, I like birds. And I don't even want to try to imagine living in a world without "pecker heads."

Birds are cool, too.

[HighWheeler]

Through my tears while thinking of you with two scarred and tattered remnants of your feet as you crawl through life, I thank you for inspiring me to higher goals. Bless you, and curse those damn, dirty, baby chicks.

[Smokin' Joe]

Better keep the Stingers, no one will roast them when they get tired of MREs.

[Cathryn Crawford]

You are so kind and wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[tophat9000]

Birds are cool, too.

Yea that true... I got a chicken in the frige right now

(No offence just a little teasing... birds are ok:>

[Scenic Sounds]

And I'm gonna try to get some birdies on the golf course this afternoon. ;-)

[Mr Rogers]

The birds would pass right thru the screen. Remember - the F-16 is going at least 160 mph - that is a lot of force. Just means shredded bird guts would pass thru. In addition, a screen strong enough to stop the bird would also stop a lot of airflow.

The F-4 engine, on the other hand, swallowed birds with glee. Ususally, the only indication was the smell of fried chicken afterwards. Of course, a duck is kinda large for ANY jet engine to swallow...

[LibKill]

Way back when dear old Dad had pretensions of being a gentleman farmer, we kept chickens.

One day my youngest brother stumbled into the house bleeding from numerous cuts on his legs and in great distress.

While I dressed his wounds with antibiotic ointment I got the story.

He went out to feed the chickens and turned his back on the rooster. It spurred him about 20 times before he could get out of the chicken pen.

I promptly put on my boots and put a pair of wire-cutters in my back pocket.

I went to the chicken pen. I turned my back on the rooster.

I heard it squawk as it came at me.

Turning around I executed an NFL kick-for-points.

Then, while the rooster was still stunned, I unceremoniously removed his spurs with the wire-cutters.

Peace returned to the suburbs.

[tophat9000]

You want to shoot some birdies? Im going to tell ELF on you!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Hello, Ladies! Fun day at the beach today - my youngest found a dead otter! Pretty cool, no?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Pictures?

[Chad Fairbanks]

SOmeone got one - I think after she threw it back into the water - when the picnic pictures get put up, I'll ping ya!

[Cathryn Crawford]

Too bad it wasn't a dead bird.

[Scenic Sounds]

You want to shoot some birdies? Im going to tell ELF on you!

LOL. BTW, some folks claiming ELF affiliation have been burning several buildings under construction in our area lately.

[Scenic Sounds]

The birds would pass right thru the screen.

Yeah, that makes sense. There must something that can be done!? ;-)

[Hank Rearden]

So, how's the duck? Reporters these days . . . . . . .