Air Force Jet Crashes in Arizona

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Air Force Jet Crashes in Arizona

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) - An Air Force F-16 crashed Wednesday during a training mission over the Barry M. Goldwater bombing range in southwestern Arizona. The pilot ejected safely.

The F-16, out of Luke Air Force Base, was flying an air-to-air training mission as part of a four-jet formation. Before the start of an aerial engagement, the pilot, Maj. Anthony Barrell, said he had a problem and turned the jet toward the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field to recover, a base spokesman said. He ejected en route to Gila Bend.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

It was the eighth crash since fall 1998 involving a jet flying a mission out of the base in Glendale, west of Phoenix.

The $20 million jet was part of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke, which is the world's largest F-16 training base.

AP-ES-02-16-00 2247EST ) Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Brought to you by the Tampa Bay Online Network

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), February 17, 2000

Answers

(More details, Bob, but cause of the crash still unknown)

Luke F-16 crashes in Arizona desert Released: 17 Feb 2000

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 63rd Fighter Squadron here crashed on the Barry M. Goldwater Range at approximately 12:10 p.m., Feb. 16. The pilot, Maj. Anthony Barrell, safely ejected and was transported to the hospital here, where he was evaluated for medical treatment and released.

At the time of the crash, the aircraft was flying on an air-to-air training mission over the Goldwater Range. Barrell was fourth in a formation of four F-16s. During maneuvers, prior to the start of the aerial engagement, the pilot stated he had a problem and turned toward Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field to recover. En route to Gila Bend, he safely ejected.

The aircraft crashed in a remote section of the desert, southwest of Gila Bend, Ariz. The aircraft was configured for an air-to-air training mission and unarmed. It was carrying an inert training missile.

Barrell is an experienced F-16 pilot going through the transition course to re-qualify to fly in the F-16. He has more than 2,400 total flying hours including 2,200 in the F-16 and AT-38.

A board of Air Force officers will convene to investigate the cause of the accident.

(Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)

Air Force News

http://www .af.mil/news/Feb2000/n20000217_000240.html

-- Lee Maloney (leemaloney@hotmail.com), February 19, 2000.


Bob, what a "coincidence." Another Air Force plane went down in Georgia on Feb 16, the same day as the one in Arizona.

February 17, 2000

000237. Moody F-16D crashes

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- An F-16D Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 347th Wing's 69th Fighter Squadron here, crashed Feb. 16 at approximately 11:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The accident occurred approximately five miles north of Donalsonville, Ga. Both pilots, Maj. Charles B. Kearney and 1st Lt. Christopher Hutchins, ejected safely and have returned to Moody AFB clinic for medical evaluation.

At the time of the accident, the F-16D pilots were performing night vision goggle upgrade training. A board of officers will meet to investigate the accident. Additional details will be provided as soon as they become available.

(Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)

Air Force News

http://www.vnis.com/vetnews/air-force-news.txt

-- Lee Maloney (leemaloney@hotmail.com), February 19, 2000.


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