Courtesy of Dan Bott

Thunderbirds Accident Report Released

Secretary of the Air Force, Directorate of Public Affairs Release No.
0121045 Jan 21, 2004

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Pilot error caused a U.S. Air Force
Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft to crash shortly after takeoff at an air
show Sept. 14 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The pilot
ejected just before the aircraft impacted the ground.

According to the accident investigation board report released today,
the pilot misinterpreted the altitude required to complete the "Split
S" maneuver. He made his calculation based on an incorrect
mean-sea-level altitude of the airfield. The pilot incorrectly climbed
to 1670 feet above ground level instead of 2500 feet before initiating
the pull down to the Split S maneuver.

When he realized something was wrong, the pilot put maximum back stick
pressure and rolled slightly left to ensure the aircraft would impact
away from the crowd should he have to eject. He ejected when the
aircraft was 140 feet above ground -- just eight--tenths of a second
prior to impact.

He sustained only minor injuries from the ejection. There was no other
damage to military or civilian property.

The aircraft, valued at about $20.4 million, was destroyed.

Also, the board determined other factors substantially contributed to
creating the opportunity for the error including the requirement for
demonstration pilots to convert mean sea level and above ground level
altitudes and performing a maneuver with a limited margin of error.

(See attached file: T-Bird ejection.jpg)

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