Luke F-16 is down.

[achterkirch]

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/20377/f-16-from-luke-afb-has-crashed-near-lake-havasu

 

seems the jet had an engine failure and crashed while trying to make an emergency landing. Pilot ejected was walking around after words.  

 

Not a good year at all for military aviation. Not one bit. 

[afspret]

Its a good thing he punched out 'cause one pic I saw on a news site said it went through a security fence/gate and the nose and cockpit was completely torn off and not seen anywhere in the pic.

 

[Moose135]

Earlier today, Luke AFB (@LukeAFB) tweeted this:

 

Quote

1/4: An F-16C assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing diverted and attempted to land at Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport, Lake Havasu City, Ariz. at approximately 10:35 a.m. today during a routine training flight.

 

2/4: During landing the aircraft departed the prepared surface and the pilot ejected from the aircraft. The pilot is in good condition and is being transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center.

3/4: First responders are on site and there is no immediate danger to the publi

4/4: More information will be provided as it becomes available. For questions, please call the Luke AFB Public Affairs Office at (623) 856-6011.

 

 

Sounds like he got it on the ground but had issues with directional control, and decided it was prudent to exit the aircraft.

Edited April 25, 2018 by Moose135

[habu2]

Directional control ?  He may have simply run out of runway due to speed and/or length. 

[Moose135]

1 hour ago, habu2 said:

Directional control ?  He may have simply run out of runway due to speed and/or length. 

Directional control as in it didn't go where he wanted it to - whether that was going off the side of the runway or stopping/turning at the end, he couldn't control it.

[Scooby]

19 hours ago, habu2 said:

Directional control ?  He may have simply run out of runway due to speed and/or length. 

 

Or take-off configuration. We lost a few CF-18s due to incorrect trim on take-off and couldn’t rotate.

Edited April 25, 2018 by Scooby

[Scooby]

On 2018-04-24 at 1:17 PM, achterkirch said:

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/20377/f-16-from-luke-afb-has-crashed-near-lake-havasu

 

seems the jet had an engine failure and crashed while trying to make an emergency landing. Pilot ejected was walking around after words.  

 

Not a good year at all for military aviation. Not one bit. 

 

Any time a pilot walks away from an crash that is a good day.

[USAFsparkchaser]

4 years stationed at Luke 96-2000 10 crashes, no pilots lost. Went through a 6 month period and averaged 1 crash a month. Saw 4 in my squadrons alone, the 61st Top Dogs, best assignment I ever had.

[11bee]

On 4/25/2018 at 12:48 AM, Moose135 said:

Directional control as in it didn't go where he wanted it to -  

 

Generally speaking, wouldn't "loss of directional control, as in the aircraft didn't go where the pilot wanted it to go" be the cause of every crash?

 

Horrible run of accidents of late.  Good number of lesser accidents that didn't get wide press coverage as well.   An F-22 is out of service after an engine failure during takeoff caused it to belly land on the runway.  Another F-22 lost an engine a few days after.  

[Don]

Well as Scooby wrote above, at least the pilot is safe and alive.  But boy its been a rough few months for military aviation.