F-35 ramp strike

3,356 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by 74OA
medog
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A couple of observations:
1. That pilot is very lucky to be alive
2. The F-35 has one tough airframe to remain intact after that collision.

Naveronski
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13,000' deep in the South China Sea. Recovery is going to be a chore.
74OA
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DogCo84
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CT'97
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Just prior to the strike it looks like the elevators are waving up and down.
Is that the pilot attempting to eject already and just leaving the stick waving free or an actual input to attempt to change the flight of the plane?
My son is a self described aviation nerd and he was explaining that the F35's carrier landing system is very different and basically takes over inputs and all the pilot has to do is give basic speed and direction in puts and the the plane translates that into the correct movements and engine adjustments to keep the plane on glide slope for a proper landing.
As an non-aviator I'm wondering is were those last second waving of the elevators an indication that the system wasn't giving inputs correctly and the pilot was violently trying to gain control of the aircraft?
Texas A&M - 148 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress.
DogCo84
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More info/analysis. Some discussion of the F35C Precision Landing Mode (PLM) starting at about 12:00 minutes in.

medog
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The F-35 (like the F/A-18) uses fly by wire and those stabilator movements are the computer's interpretation of the pilot's stick inputs and this is totally normal. The issue with this approach was the throttles. In the other video taken from near the CIWS mount on the fantail, you can hear how quiet the engine noise is and then you can hear the pilot apply full power just prior to impact. My guess is the pilot thought he had auto throttles selected and when he realized too late they weren't and then tried to stop his rate of descent by going full throttle but couldn't and crashed. Listen to the LSO screaming "power power" prior to waving him off, again way too late.
CharlieBrown17
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^based on the last AIB I've read on a F-35 landing mishap this is a really solid guess.


Air Force bird and report but could be similar circumstances.
https://www.afjag.af.mil/Portals/77/AIB-Reports/2020/May/Eglin%20AFB%20F35A%20AIB%20Report_Signed.pdf
SEC Champs
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Multiple UCMJ charges.

Much shallower than 13k.
74OA
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SEC Champs said:

Multiple UCMJ charges.

Much shallower than 13k.
UCMJ
F4GIB71
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I'm confused. Some were charged under UCMJ for unauthorized releasing the video, which I agree with, but the Elgin F-35 accident investigation appears to be released as a press release. I flew from 1971 until 1992 and while not classified, aircraft accident reports were for official use only. They were transmitted to other units within the Air Force (presumably same within Navy) so we could learn what happened for safety reasons and hopefully prevent it from reoccurring Some info, such as medical details especially in fatalities, was redacted.

When did the AF start releasing accident reports, presumably, for the general pubic? I've lost over two dozen friends and acquaintances over my career and never had access to the details of the F-35 report, even while still serving. I was involved in an accident in 1979 and requested the results of my investigation. What the AF provided was a minimal glimpse of the incident, mostly limited a few AF forms, certainly nothing like the detail in the report.

When did this change?
F4GIB71
CharlieBrown17
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I don't know when it changed.

I've been flying since 2019.

Safety investigations are still privileged info and more redacted like you're describing. Safety boards focus on possible issues that would effect an entire weapon systems or a training issue etc. They're also can't be tied to fault or a punishment.

Accident investigation boards like the link above are designed to be released like NTSB reports and can find fault or be used to direct a flight evaluation board.
74OA
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