Missing F-35

ThunderHorse said:
Well, they just relieved him of command.
Click to expand...
Yeah, saw that. Maybe there's more to it - the devil's always in the details, but, based on a very cursory review of what I've read, sounds like the did him dirty.

Bailing into a thunderstorm has to be a hellufa thing.
 
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The military values people. It would never screw over someone to hide the mil/ government's failures... :rolleyes:

Y'all need an "entertaining" read? Google won't return this even if you add the maintainer's name, that's how deep this shit goes.
Mueller v. US Dept. of Air Force, 63 F. Supp. 2d 738 (E.D. Va. 1999)

On May 30, 1995, an F-15 aircraft crashed on the runway during take-off at Spangdahlem Air Force Base in Germany, killing the pilot. An Air Force investigation revealed that the accident was caused by a crossed steering rod. Technical Sergeant Thomas Mueller, plaintiff's deceased husband, was the supervisor of the two mechanics who serviced the aircraft prior to the accident. As a result of the crash investigation, the Air Force charged plaintiff's husband and one of the mechanics with negligent homicide and dereliction of duty. On October 19, 1995, the day the General Courts-Martial of one of the mechanics was to commence, plaintiff's husband committed suicide. The Air Force's handling of the investigation of the crash, including the prosecution of Mueller and his suicide, received some attention in the press, including an article in Time magazine, and a piece on "60 Minutes."
Click to expand...
 
DA SWO said:
I'll have a longer comment tomorrow, but I think the CMC did him dirty.
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The AIB faulted him for ejecting, but noted he did what the Flight Manuel said to do.

He only had 32 hours in the jet.

The AIB did not take his wings or ground him. The Navy Pilot in the F-35C crash was grounded.

A friend's son transitioned into the 35 from F-15C's. He said it's like learning to fly over again. System management is key to flying the plane.
This guys System was experiencing multiple electrical (i.e. system) failures.

Now onto his firing.

He was transitioning from the Harrier into the 35 for his next assignment. He crashed, but still PCS'd and assumed command.
Firing him 9 months after the report was issued is interesting to me. Was he fired because of the accident or was he failing as a Commander?
 
DA SWO said:
The AIB faulted him for ejecting, but noted he did what the Flight Manuel said to do.

He only had 32 hours in the jet.

The AIB did not take his wings or ground him. The Navy Pilot in the F-35C crash was grounded.

A friend's son transitioned into the 35 from F-15C's. He said it's like learning to fly over again. System management is key to flying the plane.
This guys System was experiencing multiple electrical (i.e. system) failures.

Now onto his firing.

He was transitioning from the Harrier into the 35 for his next assignment. He crashed, but still PCS'd and assumed command.
Firing him 9 months after the report was issued is interesting to me. Was he fired because of the accident or was he failing as a Commander?
Click to expand...
Marine Corps Blames Pilot Error for Crash of Malfunctioning F-35 in South Carolina Forest

The guy who wrote this article is saying it was after the Commandant reviewed the investigation report.
 
Crazy F-35 crash today.

Very unusual looking crash. It may be due in part to the camera angle, but, it a couple things standout:
The aircraft...
1. Seems to be coming down nearly flat in a
straight vertical drop while being stuck in what is best described as an aileron roll
2. The gear is down

Fortunately, the pilot was able to eject and survived.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884409455313301603
 
Blizzard said:
Crazy F-35 crash today.

Very unusual looking crash. It may be due in part to the camera angle, but, it a couple things standout:
The aircraft...
1. Seems to be coming down nearly flat in a
straight vertical drop while being stuck in what is best described as an aileron roll
2. The gear is down

Fortunately, the pilot was able to eject and survived.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884409455313301603
Click to expand...
Pilot declared an IFE, they are not saying why.
My initial impression is the stability augmentation system (i.e. computer) may have failed.
Pilot ejected and expensive jet tumbled into the ground.
Kabloom.
 
DA SWO said:
Pilot declared an IFE, they are not saying why.
My initial impression is the stability augmentation system (i.e. computer) may have failed.
Pilot ejected and expensive jet tumbled into the ground.
Kabloom.
Click to expand...

Watching my tax dollars disappear in a second, just like the fat lady in the motorized cart at the grocery store put $200 of crab legs and Wagyu beef on her EBT card...
 
DA SWO said:
Pilot declared an IFE, they are not saying why.
My initial impression is the stability augmentation system (i.e. computer) may have failed.
Pilot ejected and expensive jet tumbled into the ground.
Kabloom.
Click to expand...

Yeah, gear down, flat spin, I figured the pilot had an IFE and it went south on approach. Single engine, and those engines are pure TRASH, my money's on engine failure as the cause, but the AIB will sort it out...probably. The F-16 case in Germany still sticks out as "protect the pilot and aircraft at all cost" mentality in aviation.
 
The way it fell while rolling was unusual. The aircraft is inherently unstable, so it makes me wonder if it lost a computer, as @DA SWO mentioned. Just glad pilot was able to get out.
 

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