Material Defect Destroys F-16

The Air Force has determined that a manufacturing defect of a turbine blade caused an F-16 Fighting Falcon to crash June 10 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. In the recently released accident-investigation report, the board determined the crash was caused by a manufacturing defect in Blade 1 of the 4th stage low-pressure turbine of the engine.

The blade failure caused a chain of events that destroyed the engine, according to the report.

Capt. David O’Malley, the pilot of the mishap aircraft assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron, was the lead of a two-ship formation flying a close-air support training mission. The mission included simulated bombing attacks and low-angle strafing on the Gila Bend Auxiliary Airfield. He was performing low-altitude bomb training when he felt a vibration underneath him, heard a “bang” and then a grinding noise coming from the engine.

In response, he made the aircraft climb and attempted two engine restarts.

When his wingman reported the aircraft had fire coming out the aft end, O’Malley ejected. The F-16, which was assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, crashed on Bureau of Land Management property about 12 nautical miles northwest of Gila Bend.

A Native Air Ambulance helicopter crew flew O’Malley back to base. There he was examined by a flight surgeon and released.

FMI: www.af.mil