Video footage of moments before the Elmendorf C17 crash

Air Force releases findings on Alaska C-17 fatal mishap

by Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

12/10/2010 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Headquarters Pacific Air Forces today released the results of its investigation into a fatal C-17 Globemaster III aircraft mishap July 28, 2010, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, directed an investigation into the incident which resulted in the deaths of the four crewmembers aboard, the destruction of the $184 million aircraft, and damage to part of the Alaska Railroad.

The accident investigation board found clear and convincing evidence the cause of the mishap was pilot error. The investigation revealed the pilot placed the aircraft outside established flight parameters and capabilities. During the mishap sortie, the pilot aggressively flew the aircraft in a manner inconsistent with established flight procedures, resulting in a stall. The pilot failed to take required stall recovery actions. Furthermore, the board concluded the co-pilot and safety observer failed to recognize or address the developing dangerous situation. As a result, the C-17 stalled at an attitude and altitude from which recovery to controlled flight was impossible.

Brig. Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, served as the Accident Investigation Board president. General Everhart is vice commander of the 618th Air and Space Operations Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The general is a command pilot with more than 4,400 flight hours in a variety of aircraft, including the C-17.

The mishap occurred as the C-17 -- tail number 00-0173 and call sign Sitka 43 -- practiced for the Arctic Thunder Air Show scheduled for the weekend of July 31 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

The footage has been edited to cut off just prior to the aircraft's impact, out of consideration and respect for the families of the deceased.

USAF Aircraft Accident Investigation Board Report Executive Summary for Incident of 28 July 2010:

http://www.pacaf.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-101211-002.pdf


May the crew of Sitka 43 rest in peace!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• US
• Airforce
• USAF
• C17
• C-17
• Globemaster
• Crash
• Elmendorf
• Plane
• Aircraft
• Aviation
• Army
• USA
• airshow
• heli
• military

[MAmoviesRS]

how is something that massive able to fly?.. it blows my mind.

[skimyy]

Even if they were practicing for an air show, I think it's common sense that you don't fly a major Cargo plane like it's some agile fighter jet.

[timstamtic]

@MAmoviesRS pshh, you should check out my jet. c5! makes that thing look tiny!!!

[SitocawithSorento]

@MAmoviesRS true that

[stedfasttrading]

I think he had too little airspeed and too sharp a bank angle. The plane was likley sliding at such a rate that airflow to the engines was interupted the rest is now sad History!

[F110mech]

@Michael55443 The full video shows the impact. This was the public release version. I'm sure the entire video will surface eventually.

[crazyknight2008]

what was the pilot thinking !!! hes not a jet fighter pilot, hes in charge of frikken cargo plane !!!! idiot......

[GawdGood]

Wrong pilot for wrong jet.

[sasukeAMVcreator]

Sorry, but.... What the fuck?

[1996zeeshan]

his bank angles looked like to much, so the steep take-off contributed.it didn't cause accident, also if you look at the aileron movment he was being far to aggressive whith the controls

[maverickthebastard]

This is sad. Just another case of wave riders thinking that they are the wave makers. VNE also applies in gravity Vs lift scenario.