A defective pitch-rate controller led to a QRF-4C Phantom II crash just eight seconds after take-off from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 17, 2013, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report just released.
The QRF-4C, an unmanned aerial target, was assigned to the 82d Aerial Targets Squadron, 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, Tyndall AFB, Fla. The aircraft, one infrared, flare-dispensing pod, and 120 flares were destroyed on impact. The impact also caused damage to the runway and barrier, making the total loss of the mishap almost $4.6 million. There was no damage to personal property.
According to the report, the Attitude Heading Reference System, which controls the up and down movement of the aircraft, sent incorrect inputs for the horizontal pitch of the aircraft to the autopilot system. These inaccurate inputs caused the aircraft to pitch up and down rapidly. The pilot in the ground-control station executed the proper emergency checklist items, but was unable to stabilize the aircraft and it pitched down 33 degrees and impacted the ground.
The board president found, by clear and convincing evidence, that the cause of this mishap was a defective pitch-rate portion of the Attitude Heading Reference System.
Source: US Air Force
I would like to see a video of that short flight . . .
It was good to see the above report, but there was no indication as to which QRF-4C Phantom was involved I e tail number – can anyone help