F-16C Fighting Falcon Crash Site

December 27th 2018





Summery :

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a supersonic multirole fighter aircraft for the US Air Force. Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976.
This F-16A (#90-0749) was assigned to the 57th Fighter Wing at Nellis AFB.
On 31 May 92, the pilot 1st Lt. Scott L. Gierat from 363rd TFW, 17th TFS at Shaw AFB, SC, call sign 'Lion 42' was on this F-16C (#90-0749) for surface attack mission while deployed to Nellis AFB, Nevada.
After reaching the Air Warrior complex at Fort Irwin ranges and holding at the initial point waiting to initiate the second attack, Lion 42 experienced smoke and fumes in the cockpit. An immediate turn toward Nellis AFB was accomplished.
While en route to Nellis AFB, Lion 42 observed the oil pressure rise to 60 psi and then heard a loud bang and the engine indications winding down and the RPM gauge decreasing to zero.
The pilot attempted one airstart but failed. Realizing the engine had seized, he made the decision to abandon the aircraft over an unpopulated area.
After turning the aircraft toward an uninhabited area, the pilot ejected safely at altitude of 6,100 ft (MSL) and speed of 230 mph.
The aircraft crashed and was destroyed.
The pilot landed safely in an unpopulated desert area and established radio contact with his leader 'Lion 41'.
Lion 41 located his position and with the aid of an A-10 who diverted to the crash scene, guided a police helicopter to the downed pilot's position for recovery.


    
Description



Manufacturer:
General Dynamics
Base model:
F-16
Version:
C
Nickname:
Fighting Falcon
Designation System:
U.S. Air Force
Designation Period:
1978-
Basic role:
Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
Serial Number:
90-0749
Year built:
1990
Crash Date:
5/31/92
Fatalities:
0




Specifications



Length:
49' 5" 15.06 m
Height:
16' 0" 4.88 m
Wingspan:
32' 8" 9.96 m
Wingarea:
300.0 sq ft 27.87 sq m
Empty Weight:
18,900 lb 8,570 kg
Max Takeoff Weight:
42,300 lb 19,200 kg





Propulsion



No. of Engines:
1
Powerplant:
Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220/220E afterburning turbofan
Dry Thrust:
17,155 lbf
Thrust with Afterburner:
28,600 lbf





Performance



Max Speed:
1,320 mph 2,120 km/h Mach 2
Ceiling:
50,000 ft+ 15,240 m+
Range:(with drop tanks)
2,620 miles 4,220 km





Unit Cost:
$14.6 million


    
Other F-16 Link :
 Wikipedia Link : General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon


    



Showing 1-24 of 61 pictures | Next -->