View Full Version : F-16 Crash on the Nellis Range April 4, 2018
Airbubba
4th Apr 2018, 21:05
Following the losses of an AV-8B and a CH-53 in the past two days, this news from Nellis Public Affairs:
Aircraft Accident on Nevada Test and Training Range
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- An Air Force F-16 assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, crashed at approximately 10:30 am during routine training on the Nevada Test and Training Range.
The condition of the pilot is unknown at this time.
Emergency responders are on the scene. As soon as additional details become available, they will be provided. The accident is under investigation.
Aircraft Accident on Nevada Test and Training Range > Nellis Air Force Base > Display (http://www.nellis.af.mil/About/Press-Releases/Display/Article/1484960/aircraft-accident-on-nevada-test-and-training-range/)
Airbubba
4th Apr 2018, 23:39
Rumors online that the plane involved was a Thunderbird F-16 involved in a mid-air.
Totally unconfirmed.
Salute!
Doesn't sound good, Bubba.
Usually, the pilot can call home on his iPhone, or the on-scene folks state that the pilot is at a hospital or is in great shape.
This sounds like next of kin notification procedure. Of course, if the pilot ws in the jet when it impacted, then might take a while to make sure the remains were with the jet.
The T-bird crash at Pete Field a few years back had video of the pilot within an hour.
Gums sends...
Airbubba
5th Apr 2018, 01:28
Yep, usually a delay in releasing the status of a pilot involved in a mishap is not a good sign. :(
If a search is involved the Navy will often initially invoke a DUSTWUN (Duty Status, Whereabouts Unknown) classification until the situation is resolved.
Also, the Navy by current policy seems to have a 24 hour embargo on names of the deceased after the notifications are done.
I would presume Air Force casualty protocols are similar.
I'm sure you remember the T-Birds horrible 1982 crash at Indian Springs. Today's mishap was possibly in the same area around what is now Creech AFB.
Airbubba
5th Apr 2018, 04:20
Sad confirmation :sad::
Thunderbirds Aircraft Mishap
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – A U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed over the Nevada Test and Training Range today at approximately 10:30 a.m. during a routine aerial demonstration training flight. The identity of the pilot is being withheld for 24-hours pending next of kin notification. An investigation is being conducted into the cause of the mishap.
The team’s participation at the March Air Reserve Base “The March Field Air & Space Expo” has been cancelled. It is unknown how this accident will impact the remainder of the 2018 Thunderbirds Season.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Thunderbirds Aircraft Mishap > Nellis Air Force Base > Display (http://www.nellis.af.mil/About/Press-Releases/Display/Article/1485146/thunderbirds-aircraft-mishap/)
Salute!
Dammit all. I am running outta nickels to throw on the grass, and I ain't making light of this one. This recent string of bad things is unusual except in war, and I saw that on two tours.
Went thru this in 1983-84 ( 4 pilot error in an 18 month period, three my age and experience) and stopped going to memorial services except for one of my C-flight buddies that died in 2008.
So hold your goblets steady
For we come from a brotherhood that flies
Here's a toast to the dead already
And a low, fast pass for the next man that dies
Gums sends...
Treble one
5th Apr 2018, 16:02
The Team have had rather a torrid time of late. One hopes this very sad occurrence marks the end of these, and the start of a new and happier chapter in their history.
The last 'fix' was a change of commander. What will Jeannie come up with this time?
airsound
5th Apr 2018, 17:03
According to CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/04/politics/f-16-jet-crash-air-force/index.html
Wednesday's Thunderbird crash was the fourth incident involving US military aircraft in approximately 24 hours. The other incidents are:
A US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II jet crashed Tuesday during takeoff from Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport. The pilot was able to eject and is being treated.
A US Marine Corps CH-53 crashed Tuesday in the vicinity of Naval Air Facility El Centro in California, killing four crew members.
A United States Marines Corps CH-53 helicopter was damaged late Tuesday while landing in the East African country of Djibouti, in the vicinity of Arta Beach.
airsound
Airbubba
5th Apr 2018, 20:55
The lost airman is identified as the number 4 slot pilot:
Release No. 3
Date: 2018-04-05
Thunderbirds Pilot Identified
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Slot Pilot Thunderbird 4, Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed over the Nevada Test and Training Range April 4, 2018 at approximately 10:30 a.m. during a routine aerial demonstration training flight.
“We are mourning the loss of Major Del Bagno,” said Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, 57th Wing Commander. “He was an integral part of our team and our hearts are heavy with his loss. We ask everyone to provide his family and friends the space to heal during this difficult time.”
An investigation is being conducted into the cause of the mishap.
The team’s participation at the March Air Reserve Base “The March Field Air & Space Expo” has been cancelled. It is unknown how this accident will impact the remainder of the 2018 Thunderbirds Season.
Thunderbirds Pilot Identified > Nellis Air Force Base > Display (http://www.nellis.af.mil/About/Press-Releases/Display/Article/1485678/thunderbirds-pilot-identified/)
Major Del Bagno's professional biography from the Thunderbirds website, his picture is at the link below:
Maj. Stephen Del Bagno is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 4 jet. He is a 2005 graduate of Utah Valley State University, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. in 2007. Before joining the Air Force, Del Bagno was a civilian flight instructor, corporate pilot, skywriter, and a banner tow pilot. He enjoys snowboarding, water sports and spending time with family and friends. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, Del Bagno served as an F-35A Evaluator Pilot and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. He has logged more than 3,500 total flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, with 1,400 hours as an Air Force pilot. Del Bagno is in his first season with the team and hails from Valencia, Calif.
Members | U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds (http://afthunderbirds.com/site/members/Officers/)
The last 'fix' was a change of commander. What will Jeannie come up with this time?
Good question. Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh has been CO for only one airshow and a flyover. When he was installed less than five months ago to replace Jason Heard, Brigadier General Leavitt was quoted on the Thunderbird website:
“At this particular point in time, the Air Force needs an experienced leader and skilled aviator who understands the unique challenges and opportunities associated with the Thunderbirds and I can think of no one more qualified for this position than Lt Col Kevin Walsh,” said Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, 57th Wing Commander.
Walsh assumes command of Thunderbirds squadron | U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds (http://afthunderbirds.com/site/2017/12/20/walsh-assumes-command-of-thunderbirds-squadron/)
Walsh's predecessor was fired by Leavitt under circumstances that supposedly had nothing to do with the rollover on landing mishap at Dayton.
Walsh replaces Lt. Col. Jason Heard, who was removed last month after Heard led “a highly successful show season,” but his commanding officer “lost confidence in his leadership and risk management style,” an Air Force statement said.
An Air Force spokeswoman said in a Nov. 30 email Heard continued to serve in a “non-supervisory position” with the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The Thunderbirds are based there.
The Air Force did not elaborate on specifics behind the firing, but an Air Force spokesman on Wednesday said in an email the incident was “unrelated” to a Thunderbird jet mishap in June in Dayton.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local-military/air-force-picks-new-thunderbirds-leader-after-former-commander-removed/tQYOXsChQetSTH15b8yDhK/
The Navy has fired several skippers of the Blue Angels over the years. Was Heard's firing the first for a Thunderbird leader?
Remember the days when the slot man's tail was allowed to turn black over the season from the leader's exhaust soot?
Treble one
5th Apr 2018, 21:18
I do wonder about the issues with pilots with relatively little time on type flying close formation/aerobatic routines.
Its different with the Reds of course as currently all front line fast jet pilots will have flown a Hawk T1. It may be different in years to come of course.
I am having a hard time with this pilot having a mid air.
Looks like most of his time was not in the Viper, but still a lotta airmanship in his vita. Plus, they did not pick nuggets for the F-35 slots here at Eglin.
So I ain’t ruling out a mechanical or electronic problem, and maybe not his plane.
Gums sends...
aterpster
6th Apr 2018, 00:39
The last 'fix' was a change of commander. What will Jeannie come up with this time?
My guess is a very thorough USAF accident investigation with full disclosure.
I have an unpopular view in that I believe these demo teams should be done away with.
Not unlike a military parade in the capitol.
Background Noise
6th Apr 2018, 07:28
Its different with the Reds of course as currently all front line fast jet pilots will have flown a Hawk T1. It may be different in years to come of course.
There are already front line pilots who have only flown T2. The first course graduated in mid 2013, and the T1 was retired from ab-initio pilot training in Apr/May 16.
Treble one
6th Apr 2018, 07:33
There are already front line pilots who have only flown T2. The first course graduated in mid 2013, and the T1 was retired from ab-initio pilot training in Apr 16.
Indeed BN-there will come a time when pilots selected for the Reds will have only flown T2. However they'll have to complete a front line tour and get the 1500 (IIRC) hours first of course.....
I believe all off the pilots selected for the Reds do a Hawk refresher course at Valley before they join the team? I'm sure the powers that be will be looking at this closely should the situation arise in the future.
BR
TO
Background Noise
6th Apr 2018, 11:02
There are no T1s at Valley, any conversion or refresher is done at Leeming.
Treble one
6th Apr 2018, 12:05
There are no T1s at Valley, any conversion or refresher is done at Leeming.
Thanks BN-of course.
So I ain’t ruling out a mechanical or electronic problem, and maybe not his plane.
Perfect....so this time she can fire the MX officer. :}
My guess is a very thorough USAF accident investigation with full disclosure.
Aren't they all?
....and his 1400 hours of military time is actually not alot considering 240 hours of UPT........at 1160 hours of fighter time I was in the natural process of becoming somewhat over-confident.....and dangerous.
Salute!
A lot more criteria for being “accepted” to be a “Bird” or “Blue”, Okie. It ain’t all flying hours, or even hours in type. Even the Dayton accident was more a matter of judgement than hours.
A lot depends upon how well you get along with the team and your off-duty stuff like family, stooped things at the stag bar ( oops, can not have those anymore), OER’s and more.
I taught and flew with a bunch in three different planes, and the flying was not the big deal.
I say that something besides pilot error is possible, as the slot dude does not have an easy escape route if things go bad. The four ship crash at Creech was doing the line abreast loop, so the guys were looking left/right and not so much forward. I was at the Blues show when the boss got lower than planned and then resigned a day later. The form broke well, but the slot guy had just enuf margin.
Another nickel on the grass.
Gums sends...
How much close formation time does one get in a generally autonomous data-linked stealth fighter?
Maybe criteria is involved, maybe not.
You know getting 'accepted' into the Buckley or ABQ or TUS Guard in the 70s & 80s was probably on par with the exclusivity of the demo team selections (minus the haircut requirement), but the criteria was heavily weighted toward pure flying experience and time in type. I happened to be at BKF for a drill weekend exercise when I saw 20 guys show up to interview for ONE slot. I don't think it was the sharpest looking, teetotaling family-man that was selected.
Salute!
Well, Okie, some Birds had to transition to the Viper like Fifi did. She was a Mudhen pilot but apparently had good hands. Didn't hurt she was attractive, but I have to admit she helped USAF recruit a lotta capable women. Her follower, Samantha, was one of the best solo pilots I ever saw.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Malachowski
As I said, the team votes on you, and the guys I knew said that the flying was not a big deal unless you were a complete ham hand. They had to travel with the team for a few shows and "behave" themselves or whatever.
Lemme name a few: Blaisdale, McCartor, Running, Carter, Bolt, Brimmer, Mish, Riggs, Masters, Lance "Yum Yum", Stelman and the beat goes on.
I am waiting for some "leaks", as USAF usually keeps stuff quiet unless there's an out and out mechanical problem. The inadvertant engine shutdown at the Springs a few years ago had a quick resolution, as the plane was intact and the faulty lever on the throttle was easy to find.
Gums sends...
Flown with a few of those folks myself and a couple of ex-blues. Ramjet gave me my A-7 transition check at DM and Beaver ended up in the Guard. All were exceptional aviators.
But regardless, 1400 hours for a major is a 'low-timer'....even for a captain.
At least no one is blaming Obama this time. :}
Salute!
BTW, Okie, I also think a few more hours should be required, but high time active duty folks like I was are hard to find. Hell, I had 3,000 hours in less than ten years ( still a captain and had more fighter time than anybody on the base except the DO), all but few hundred hours in attack/fighter planes. Nevertheless, the Birds I know say the schedule is a bear and getting along on the ground is as imnportant as getting along in the demo drill.
Beaver was in my 356th TFS at the Beach and we were joint owners of an electric trimmer, heh heh. He only lasted a week or two at Korat when we deployed there. My classmate Jerry Bolt died and the Beaver was next in line for a slot. I think they got him at least one combat mission before he had to zoom back to Nellis. So he flew the Double Ugly and then the T-38. I think he was a Hun jock, so had zero time in the F-4 when he joined the Birds. Riggs was one of the first brown bars to check out, and I flew with him in the Sluf and later in the Viper at Hill. He led the bomb comp team and then the Birds.
I was fortunate my whole career to associtate with some really great pilots and also to fly three new planes in a row during their first year of operations.
Oh well, another nickel on the grass.
Gums sends...
Airbubba
10th Apr 2018, 15:42
Video update from the Boss, Sun 'n Fun and Columbus AFB, Mississippi airshows canceled for the team:
https://youtu.be/Ulwts6zYHm0
Thanks, Bubba.
The net is awfully quiet about this one, and I am concerned.
To be honest, I feel the slot position is easiest to fly compared to the wing positions. Some of the solo drills are harder for one than the other, but still not easy.
Guess we wait.
Gums sends...
Rhino power
19th Oct 2018, 16:13
Crash report now online...
Thunderbirds F-16 crash report (https://media.defense.gov/2018/Oct/16/2002051848/-1/-1/0/180404_ACC_CREECH_F16_THUNDERBIRD_AIB_NARRATIVE_REPORT.PDF)
-RP
Salute!
Sad report.
We lost a Blue a few years back for almost same reason - gee-loc trying to get "in" before the formation passes the crowd.
The data recordings show some parameters of previous flights that disturb me, but I have not talked with any Bird pilots for years.
Gums sends...