SPATIAL DISORIENTION CAUSES F-16 CRASH, PILOT DEATH

  • Published
  • By USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs
Spatial disorientation led to the destruction of an F-16 Fighting Falcon and the death of its pilot Jan. 28, 2013, over the Adriatic Sea, according to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa officials.

The recently released accident investigation board report said evidence pointed to the pilot suffering symptoms of spatial disorientation from a combination of weather conditions, the pilot's use of night vision goggles, the aircraft's attitude and high rate of speed, and the pilot's breakdown in visual scan. The pilot ejected, but he did not survive the crash. His body was found Jan. 31, three days after he and his fighter jet went missing nearly 150 miles south of Aviano.

Assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron, the pilot was flying an aircraft assigned to the 510th FS, both of the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. Mishap cost was estimated at more than $28 million, the report said.