F15 crew cited in unintentional release of an inert training munition--Yorkshire
 

Dunno if this had been mentioned elsewhere, but I just saw it...

Dave

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3/1/2004 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFPN) -- An investigation here found aircrew error led to the unintentional release of an inert training munition Jan. 8 in Yorkshire.

Officials from the 48th Fighter Wing said the aircrew involved in this mishap was on non-flying status while investigation took place. Subsequent to the determination of aircrew error, the crew was retrained. They have returned to flying status after satisfactorily demonstrating proficiency in actions required to safely conduct combat training.

This was the first unintentional release of a training munition off-range from a wing F-15E Strike Eagle since the aircraft arrived here in 1992, officials said.

“The procedures in place Jan. 8 had an extraordinary record of preventing such a mishap,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Matthews, 48th Fighter Wing commander. “Subsequent to our investigation, we’ve refined those procedures even more to preclude recurrence.”

While the English Air Force are trying to convince themselves that the Tornar$ehole F3 is still useful the mighty Free Lancashire Air Force has found itself some very usefull allies.

All the reports that I have seen say that the munition fell in open farmland.

You have to ask what they were aiming at and why did they miss by so much in a Strike Eagle?

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To add an 'uneducated' guess to flaps question.

Maybe they accidnetally jettisoned the store during a 'simulated' threat reaction.

Maybe they inadvertantely lofted a hi drag weapon during a siulated loft attack.

Maybe the store came off at a simulated AGM-130 release to a target 10+ miles away.

Maybe the Jet let rip utilising the *special* weapon 'fail safe' position having passed certain 'surety' stepping stones.

Maybe there was a software glitch that just let the thing go

Maybe the crew pressed the wrong button at the wrong time

Maybe they were not actualy attacking a target at all!!!



I have seen all of the above occur in some way or another (normally on the range), but until a fully informed individual actually tells you the facts, sometimes you may have to consider that normal aircrew never deliberately mean to stuff up, and I'm sure these guys don't feel like heros about the incident.


Regardless of the switch pig or whatever caused the unfortunate incident, the store will behave aerodynamically to that which it actually is regardless of what the jet thought it would do. So to (luckily) land in an open paddock is a good thing.

Like all incidents like this - there but for the grace of God goes I.


fly safe.

Perhaps the Spams saw a Warrior being used by the Driffield/Leconfield grunt driver training people and naturally assumed that it was Iraqi?

Probably thought that the River Humber was the Euphrates....??