Loss of Situational Awareness, Incorrect Use of 'Chute Harness to Blame

Air Force investigators have determined that loss of situational awareness contributed to the midair collision of two Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft during a close-air-support training mission Jan. 17 near Douglas (AZ).
However, investigators were unable to determine a clear and convincing cause. Federal law and Air Force instructions require that accident investigators may only make a finding as to the cause of a accident if the investigators find clear and convincing evidence to support their findings ("Two Warthogs Collide in Arizona," 01-21-02, ANN).
The aircraft were destroyed upon impact about 25 miles northeast of Douglas. Lt. Col. Lance A. Donnelly was killed, and Capt. Patrick Boland was injured in the accident. The aircraft were assigned to the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AZ).
The board was able to determine that the pilot who died did not have his parachute harness leg straps connected. As a result, he was forcibly extracted from his harness when the parachute opened.
[Thanks to Air Combat Command News Service --ed.]

FMI: http://www.af.mil/news/factsheets/A_10_OA_10_Thunderbolt_II.html