JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Pacific Air Forces released the results of its investigation into an F-16CM aircraft accident at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 20, 2018.
On Feb. 20, 2018, at approximately 8:38 a.m. local Japan time, an F-16CM assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan, experienced an engine fire on takeoff during a routine training sortie. The pilot jettisoned his external fuel tanks and immediately returned to Misawa AB to safely land the damaged aircraft.
The incident did not result in any injuries, fatalities or damage to private property. The external fuel tanks were jettisoned into Lake Ogawara. The 35th FW concluded cleanup operations on March 16, following three weeks of bilateral work with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and U.S. Navy divers from Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Sasebo. The teams worked together to retrieve all recoverable debris from the two external fuel tanks.
The Accident Investigation Board (AIB) president found by a preponderance of evidence that the cause of the accident was an obsolete part that had been installed on the aircraft, which fractured and caused the engine to overheat. The pilot’s actions during the mishap were focused, precise and appropriate and did not contribute to the mishap.
Immediately following the identification of the part failure, the 35th FW conducted an inspection on its turbine frame fairings in all engines and spare engines; all engines included in the inspection were found to have the correct parts installed.
The AIB president further found by a preponderance of the evidence that maintenance practices during the 2012 timeframe substantially contributed to the mishap.
Multiple organizational and managerial changes and expansions of the 35th FW Propulsion Flight storage areas were made over the course of the last six years to improve organizational capabilities and ensure the safety and reliability of aviation operations at Misawa AB.
In accordance with AFI 51-503, Aerospace and Ground Accident Investigations, the accident investigation board conducted a legal investigation to inquire into all the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident, prepared a publicly-releasable report, and obtained and preserved all available evidence for use in litigation, claims, disciplinary action, and adverse administrative action.
Click here to read the full version of the investigation report.