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Spangdahlem F-16 accident report released

  • Published
An Accident Investigation Board determined pilot error to be the cause of a 52nd Fighter Wing F-16CJ aircraft accident March 20 near Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

The pilot of the aircraft was fatally injured when his F-16 crashed in a wooded area approximately two miles from the runway while on final approach.

The AIB, led by Col. Erwin Lessel, 86 Airlift Wing commander, stated the primary cause of the mishap was the pilot’s failure to initiate missed approach procedures as directed by the air traffic controller.

The mishap aircraft was returning from a night tactical intercept-training mission at the time of the accident.

For more information please contact United States Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs at 49-6371-47-6559.