F-35C Mishap On USS Carl Vinson Caused By Pilot Error After ‘Sierra Hotel Break’
February 23, 2023 Aviation Safety / Air Crashes, F-35, Military AviationSTEFANO D'URSO
F-35C crash
Frame from the leaked video showing the F-35C crash. In the box, file photo of the crashed F-35C. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Larissa T. Dougherty)
The investigation found that the pilot did not activate two landing assist tools that automatically adjust throttle and maintain the angle of attack, leading to low power approach.
A year after a F-35C Lightning II suffered a ramp strike on the USS Carl Vinson, resulting in the loss of the aircraft and multiple sailors being injured, the findings of the investigation are now public, as well as the detailed circumstances of the mishap. The investigation report, obtained by USNI News, shows that the pilot did not activate two landing assist tools built in the F-35’s avionics, resulting in a less than ideal speed during the final approach to the aircraft carrier.
The crash happened on January 24, 2022, at approximately 1630 local time, while the USS Carl Vinson was operating in the South China Sea. The official investigation was completed and released on February 16, 2023. While the investigation pointed out that the cause of the mishap was found to be pilot error, it also pointed out that the error was not a result of reckless actions or malicious intent.
“The mishap pilot (MP) attempted an expedited recovery breaking overhead the carrier, an approved and common maneuver, but the MP had never performed this maneuver before, and it reduced the amount of time to configure the aircraft and conduct landing checks,” the report said. “As a result of the compressed timeline and the MP’s lack of familiarity with the maneuver, the MP lost situational awareness and failed to complete his landing checklist. Specifically, the MP remained in manual mode when he should have been (and thought he was) in an automated command mode designed to reduce pilot workload during landings.”
https://theaviationist.com/2023/02/23/f-35c-mishap-caused-by-pilot-error-after-sierra-hotel-break/
