Crash Investigation of a Mock Dogfight Mishap

Exclusive, as far as I know this is the first time this video has been readily available to the general public.

This is an investigation of an old crash during a practice dogfight.

I think this crash was a result of GLOC. If you look at the primitive old fashion computer graphics of the simulation of the crash, you will see that there are three Starburst in the path of the aircraft. I think the Starbursts are bookmarks that represent stick/control inputs, I think the first Starburst is when the pilot started a tight turn and started to pull G's. I think the second Starburst is when there was no more stick/control inputs, so it's likely when the pilot lost consciousness. The third Starburst I think represents when the pilot started to regain conscious and apply stick/control inputs. Though apparently the pilot started to regain consciousness before the crash, he evidently wasn't conscious enough to properly controll the aircraft.

After a pilot GLOC's the pilot stops flying the aircraft, so the aircraft has a tendency to go into a 1G roll, sometimes a spin.

So what happens in a tight turn, is the pilot will put in inputs that make the plane turn and pull Gs, if a pilot loses consciousness the controls usually go neutral, which usually allows the aircraft ease off on the G, however since the aircraft is not controlled, fighters have a tendency to roll and dive if they are not controlled.

The computers simulation in the video was made from data gathered from data recorders, and possibly air and ground tracking.

On April 21 2007 one of the Blue Angels crashed (Kevin 'Kojak' Davis). I don't mean to interfere with the investigation, I have respect and reasonable faith in the investigation. With all due respect, I would like to speculate, that the loss was possibly due to GLOC.

By no means am I am positive that that is what happened with the Blue Angels, however I can't help but notice some glaring similarities. There are some things that could look very similar though. I'm sure that the investigators are aware and educated. They also have the advantage of having the data to study.

I suspect the Blue Angels have seen this video, I think it is (or was) in the curriculum for all fighter pilots in the US military, as part of safety awareness training.

GLOC = Gravity induced Loss of Consciousness

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Fighter
• Pilot
• Crash
• GLOC
• Blue
• Angels
• Kevin
• Kojak
• Davis
• F-16
• F-14
• Airshow
• Investigation
• Dogfight
• Consciousness

[dropyourdrawers]

My question is: With human life at risk, millions of dollars of equipment at risk, the technology we have today, Why isnt there a device on board all aircraft that would automatically override pilot control (or allow tower control)to prevent collisions? Seems to me, they could have had this in the 60s or 70s. It could prevent aircraft from colliding with buildings too, hence, aircraft would be useless to terrorists.

[ATFSCrash]

dropyourdrawers: Computers are not perfect either; otherwise all our aircraft would be autonomous. As far as a computer being able to automatically override a pilot, some systems are already in service and I think some were at the time, however there have been problems with those also; I think there was a fictionalized account on the drama series JAG. As far as being able to remotely control and aircraft; have you ever heard of hacking or jamming?

[atom2009]

Somthing like that is inpractical because it would not let you fly in formation or it could malfunction and would try to avoid the ground when landing

[ATFSCrash]

Atom2009: Actually the military, NASA and some commercial companies are experimenting and developing technology for formation flying of UAVs and autopilots. I dont think its to the point that its safe or practical yet; but it seems inevitable that some time in the near future that technology will start being deployed if it already hasnt. Though it will have its vulnerabilities. Autopilot formation flying and UAV swarms are in the R and D stage.

[Merlin1940]

Is it "Oh, No!" at 02:32, and at 02:46 they are aready talking of "crash"...? 2007-0901.0123

[ATFSCrash]

Yes.

Evidently his wingmen or one of the aggressors saw the crash, and said "oh no", which was then followed "knock it off" call, which is an order to stop the wargame and climb and clear the area for safety and to note the location for rescue or recovery.

[duncanbayne]

For exactly the same reason that people practice CQB with live ammunition: realism.

Aircraft don't perform the same at 10K feet as they do at 500 feet; if you don't train low & slow, you will either be unable to engage the enemy under those conditions, or will die if you do.

[fullmetaldiego]

poor guy u_ù...

*salutes*

[hannah18322000]

Those weren't flares. They were "bug tracks." Computer animated dots to show the path of each aircraft. They don't really show in the sky behind every airplane.

[Maverick667th]

Judging by the G's the pilot was taking at that affected speed it looks like he had a blackout however if you look closely before the crash the pilot is dispensing flares so he was conscience enough to dispense before hitting the ground. Gloc right before he hits.

[PashMaster01]

Yeah, that's correct. There's also FOX 1 and FOX 3. Other weapons have their own codnames for weapon fire too.

[Miketar2424]

why practice at such dangerously low altitude?