UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD

REPORT

F-16C, Tail Number 87-0327

United States Air Force Demonstration Squadron
57th Wing
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

DATE OF ACCIDENT: 14 September 2003

BOARD PRESIDENT: Colonel Robert Beletic
Accident Investigation, conducted pursuant to
Air Force Instruction 51-503

c. Preflight
Due to the nature of the Thunderbirds mission, the preflight inspection of the aircraft is
performed by the maintenance crews in advance of the pilots arrival. The two crew
chiefs assigned to the MA performed the preflight before the start of the show. The
results of the preflight were unremarkable (Tab V-2).
d. Summary of Accident
The mishap occurred during an aerial demonstration at Mountain Home AFB. The
demonstration teams were taking off from Runway 12. The crowd was positioned to the
north of the runway, i.e. to the left of the Thunderbirds as they are taking off. The tower
is located south of the runway. The Thunderbirds placed their show line on the southern
edge of the runway. The show line is a straight line 1500 feet from and parallel to the
edge of the crowd. To ensure the safety of the public, the demonstration team uses this
line as the reference point over which it performs maneuvers. See figure 4-2.

True
North
Crowd
Show Line
Runway 12/30

Impact point

Figure 4-2: Mountain Home Runway Layout

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

TAB O
ADDITIONAL DATA AND REPORTS
I.

CSFDR DATA..................................................................................................................... 3

II.

SEAT RECORDER DATA.............................................................................................. 11

III. MISHAP MANEUVER (ACCI 11-USAFADS VOLUME 3, 20 JAN 2003)............... 17

O-1

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

O-2

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

I.

CSFDR DATA

O-3

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

O-4

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

O-5

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

O-6

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

O-7

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

O-8

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

O-9

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

O - 10

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

II.

SEAT RECORDER DATA

Aircraft 5C-588 # 00

18 SEP 2003

BELOW ARE THE BIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE MANCHESTER DATA WORD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
EOF

PS - A
PS - B
PS - C
PS - D
QC - A
QC - B
QC - C
QC - D
Q/P - A
Q/P - B
Q/P - C
Q/P - D
AOA - L - ELEM
AOA - R - ELEM
AOA - L/AOA - R
AOA - L/AOA - SM
END OF FLIGHT

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

AOA - R / AOA - SM
CADC
LEF CMD 1/2
LEF CMD 2/3
LEF CMD 3/1
LEF SERVO 1
LEF SERVO 2
DUAL PS
DUAL QC
DUAL Q/P
DUAL AOA
SPARE
ADC LIGHT
LEF LIGHT
NOT USED
BATTERY

LOGIC 1 IS THE NORMAL <RESET> STATE AND

LOGIC 0 IS THE FAILED <SET> STATE.
A * AHEAD OF THE TIME DENOTES A 64 SEC UPDATE RECORDING.
TIME

32 DATA BITS

AOA

33322222222221111111111
21098765432109876543210987654321 <DEG>
0:00:00
0:00:02
*0:01:04
*0:02:08
*0:03:12
*0:04:16
*0:05:20
*0:06:24
*0:07:28
*0:08:32
*0:09:36
*0:10:40
*0:11:44
*0:12:48
*0:13:52
*0:14:56
*0:16:00
*0:17:04
*0:18:08
*0:19:12
*0:20:16
*0:21:20
*0:22:24
*0:23:28
*0:24:32
*0:25:36
*0:26:40
*0:27:44
*0:28:48
*0:29:52

01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111

3.57
12.94
0.52
0.99
2.16
2.86
3.33
1.22
1.46
0.99
1.22
1.46
0.99
1.46
1.46
1.46
0.99
0.99
1.46
1.22
1.46
1.46
0.99
1.22
1.22
0.99
0.99
1.22
0.28
0.52

O - 11

AIR
SPEED

ALTITUDE

<KNOTS>

<FEET>

200
200
378
373
333
292
292
378
396
396
392
392
392
405
413
409
405
387
409
405
405
409
392
392
400
400
400
448
469
462

3286
3040
7215
13499
18862
21617
25160
25160
25413
25413
25160
25413
25160
25160
25160
25413
25160
25160
25413
25413
25160
25160
25160
25160
25160
25160
25160
20527
17285
14886

EOF

LOC

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

*0:30:56
*0:32:00
*0:33:04
*0:34:08
*0:35:12
*0:36:16
*0:37:20
*0:38:24
*0:39:28
*0:40:32
*0:41:36
*0:42:40
*0:43:44
*0:44:48
*0:45:52
*0:46:56
*0:48:00
*0:49:04
*0:50:08
*0:51:12
*0:52:16
*0:53:20
*0:54:24
*0:55:28
*0:56:32
*0:57:36
*0:58:40
*0:59:44
*1:00:48
*1:01:52
*1:02:56
*1:04:00
*1:05:04
*1:06:08
*1:07:12
1:08:09
*1:08:16
1:09:11
1:09:18
*1:12:32
*1:13:36
*1:14:40
*1:15:44
*1:16:48
*1:17:52
*1:18:56
1:19:06
*1:20:00
1:21:01
*1:21:04
1:21:08
*3:18:24
*3:19:28
*3:20:32
*3:21:36
*3:22:40
*3:23:44
*3:24:48
*3:25:52
*3:26:56
*3:28:00
*3:29:04
*3:30:08
*3:31:12
*3:32:16
*3:33:20
*3:34:24

01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111

0.52
0.52
1.92
0.99
0.28
2.16
2.86
3.33
4.27
5.68
2.86
3.33
9.89
11.53
3.80
5.21
9.43
11.30
5.91
0.28
4.03
8.96
12.24
4.97
5.21
1.46
2.86
1.46
2.16
6.61
0.99
-1.59
0.28
2.63
4.27
2.16
2.39
-0.18
-0.18
0.99
6.38
15.28
3.33
2.39
0.05
3.57
4.97
7.08
-0.18
0.05
-0.18
4.03
1.69
2.16
1.92
2.63
2.16
2.86
2.63
2.63
0.99
1.46
1.92
1.69
1.22
1.69
2.63

O - 12

498
498
349
369
392
349
292
311
317
286
273
251
266
235
258
235
209
209
292
286
235
235
209
266
349
344
373
455
444
373
458
440
405
266
344
266
235
0
0
421
354
258
369
354
387
235
209
168
0
64
90
279
322
305
305
305
305
279
286
299
317
311
305
305
317
322
311

12008
9522
6527
3909
3409
5061
4416
3783
3162
4035
3534
3534
3286
4035
3286
3783
3658
4673
4035
3783
3534
3286
3658
3783
3783
3040
4673
5852
4802
3658
4802
3040
3162
5986
3909
4162
4289
3040
3040
5061
6255
7918
7494
6938
5454
5986
5852
5454
4289
4289
4416
35404
35773
35404
35773
35773
35773
34324
35773
35773
35773
35404
35404
34324
33629
30402
27795

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

*3:35:28
*3:36:32
*3:37:36
*3:38:40
*3:39:44
*3:40:48
*3:41:52
*3:42:56
*3:44:00
*3:45:04
*3:46:08
*3:47:12
*3:48:16

01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111
01111111111111111111111111111111

1.22
0.75
0.52
0.99
0.75
0.99
0.05
1.22
1.46
2.39
0.52
1.92
1.92

33322222222221111111111
21098765432109876543210987654321 <DEG>

O - 13

359
421
448
405
378
378
396
387
354
328
373
373
392
<KNOTS>

23690
21176
18460
16340
14012
12828
12334
9973
9076
6120
4035
2795
2674
<FEET>

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

Aircraft 5C-588 # 00

18 SEP 2003

BELOW ARE THE BIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE MANCHESTER DATA WORD
EOF
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

END-OF-FLIGHT
RUD DISENGAGE
RHT ISA FAIL
LHT ISA FAIL
RF ISA FAIL
LF ISA FAIL
RUD ISA FAIL
RHT DISENGAGE
LHT DISENGAGE
RF DISENGAGE
LF DISENGAGE
YAW A FAIL
YAW B FAIL
YAW C FAIL
YAW D FAIL
LF A FAIL
RF A FAIL
PITCH OVERRIDE
LF B FAIL
RF B FAIL
LG-TEF DOWN
LF C FAIL
RF C FAIL
AIR REFUEL DOOR OPEN
LF D FAIL
RF D FAIL
STORES ON
RHT A FAIL
LHT A FAIL
PITCH A FAIL
RHT B FAIL
LHT B FAIL
PITCH B FAIL

34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65

RHT C FAIL
LHT C FAIL
PITCH C FAIL
RHT D FAIL
LHT D FAIL
PITCH D FAIL
2ND FAIL
1ST FAIL
YAW LAMP
ROLL LAMP
LHT SA FAIL
RHT SA FAIL
LF SA FAIL
RF SA FAIL
PITCH LAMP
RUD SA FAIL
RHT > 5 DEGREE
LHT > 5 DEGREE
RF > 1.65 DEGREE
LF > 1.65 DEGREE
RUD > 6 DEGREE
ECA FAIL
RHT MODEL > 5 DEGREE
LHT MODEL > 5 DEGREE
RF MODEL > 1.65 DEGREE
LF MODEL > 1.65 DEGREE
RUD MODEL > 6 DEGREE
TRIPLEX ALPHA > 29 DEGREE
CAUTION RESET
ELECTRICAL RESET
W. O. MAIN LANDING GEAR
SELF TEST

LOGIC 1 IS THE NORMAL <RESET> STATE AND

LOGIC 0 IS THE FAILED <SET> STATE.
A * AHEAD OF THE TIME DENOTES A 64 SEC UPDATE RECORDING.
TIME

64 DATA BITS

EOF LOC

66666655555555554444444444333333333322222222221111111111
5432109876543210987654321098765432109876543210987654321098765432
0:00:00
0:00:01
*0:01:04
*0:02:08
*0:03:12
*0:04:16
*0:05:20
*0:06:24
*0:07:28
*0:08:32
*0:09:36
*0:10:40
*0:11:44
*0:12:48
*0:13:52
*0:14:56
*0:16:00
*0:17:04
*0:18:08

1111110011110011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1111110011110011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

O - 14

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

*0:19:12
*0:20:16
*0:21:20
*0:22:24
*0:23:28
*0:24:32
*0:25:36
*0:26:40
*0:27:44
*0:28:48
*0:29:52
*0:30:56
*0:32:00
*0:33:04
*0:34:08
*0:35:12
*0:36:16
*0:37:20
*0:38:24
*0:39:28
*0:40:32
*0:41:36
*0:42:40
*0:43:44
*0:44:48
*0:45:52
*0:46:56
*0:48:00
*0:49:04
*0:50:08
*0:51:12
*0:52:16
*0:53:20
*0:54:24
*0:55:28
*0:56:32
*0:57:36
*0:58:40
*0:59:44
*1:00:48
*1:01:52
*1:02:56
*1:04:00
*1:05:04
*1:06:08
*1:07:12
1:08:08
*1:08:16
1:09:11
1:09:18
*1:12:32
*1:13:36
*1:14:40
*1:15:44
*1:16:48
*1:17:52
*1:18:56
1:19:06
*1:20:00
1:21:01
*1:21:04
1:21:08
*3:06:40
*3:07:44
*3:08:48
*3:09:52
*3:10:56

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1111110011110011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1011110011110011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1011110011110011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1111110011110011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1011110011110011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1011110011110011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1011110011110011111111111111111111111111111101111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

O - 15

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0

20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
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F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

*3:12:00
*3:13:04
*3:14:08
*3:15:12
*3:16:16
*3:17:20
*3:18:24
*3:19:28
*3:20:32
*3:21:36
*3:22:40
*3:23:44
*3:24:48

1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
1111111011111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

0
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87
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66666655555555554444444444333333333322222222221111111111

5432109876543210987654321098765432109876543210987654321098765432

O - 16

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

III.

MISHAP MANEUVER (ACCI 11-USAFADS VOLUME 3, 20 JAN 2003)

E-2.3. Maximum Climb And Split-S On Takeoff.

ALTITUDE AGL
ENTRY N/A
OTT
3500 feet
EXIT 200 feet

ALTITUDE AGL
ENTRY N/A
OTT
3200 feet
EXIT 150 feet

ALTITUDE AGL
ENTRY N/A
OTT 3,200/3,000 feet
EXIT
150 /75 feet

STAGE 1 & HIGH ALTITUDE PARAMETERS

AIRSPEED KCAS
POWER
TARGET G INVERTED
MIN/MAX
SETTING
180
N/A
MAX
+1.7
N/A
170
N/A
MAX
N/A
+.5
350
NA
MAX
+4.0 - +5.0
N/A

AIRSPEED KCAS
MIN/MAX
180
N/A
160
N/A
350
N/A

STAGE 2
POWER
SETTING
MAX
MAX
MAX

MINIMUMS (STAGE 1/STAGE 2)

AIRSPEED KCAS
POWER
MIN/MAX
SETTING
170
N/A
MAX
160/150
N/A
MAX
350
N/A
MAX

TARGET G INVERTED
+1.7
N/A
+4.0 - +5.0

N/A
+.5
N/A

TARGET G INVERTED
+1.7
N/A
+4.0 - +5.0

N/A
+.5
N/A

******NOTE FOR HIGH ALTITUDE MINIMUM PARAMETERS:

ADD 500 feet TO OTT ALTITUDE FOR EACH 2,000 feet OF ALTITUDE ABOVE
3,000 feet MSL AND 10 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED. FOR EXAMPLE:
SHOWSITE ALT=3,000 feet MSL
MIN OTT ALTITUDE=6,500 feet MSL
SHOWSITE ALT=5,000 feet MSL
MIN OTT ALTITUDE=9,000 feet MSL
SHOWSITE ALT=7,000 feet MSL
MIN OTT ALTITUDE= 11,500 feet MSL

O - 17

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

E-2.3.1. Maneuver Description. The Solo makes an afterburner takeoff and at the prescribed
entry parameters, retracts the landing gear while rotating the nose to maintain not less than 180
KIAS at approximately 60 degrees nose high. In order to accomplish this pull without gaining
excessive airspeed, the Solo must smoothly but briskly increase back pressure to approximately
1.7Gs. Then, as the nose approaches 60 degrees nose high, the Solo will ease off the back
pressure to approximately 0.7G, maintaining 180 KIAS (to avoid over-stressing the landing gear,
the Solo will not use more than 2Gs during the pull up). NLT prescribed minimums the Solo
rolls left to inverted. This roll requires the Solo to smoothly transition from the 0.7G he was
holding to -0.2G in order to maintain heading and the 60-degree pitch attitude. In order to avoid
under or over rolling to the inverted position, the Solo should reference his heading, sun
position, or the ADI. At prescribed OTT target altitude, the Solo smoothly applies aft stick to
initiate the Split-S while transmitting an over the top call with altitude: "5/6 IS ON TOP,
(ALTITUDE)." It is imperative that the Solo pull hard and early enough to ensure that the SplitS can be completed well above the target bottom altitude. Past the 270-degree point, when the
Solo has sufficient visual cues to ensure that he will bottom high, the Solo can reduce the G to
bottom the maneuver at or above the planned target altitude. As the nose drops below the
horizon, and the runway is reacquired, the Solo will correct as necessary to complete the Split-S
down the runway. After leveling off at the target altitude the Solo continues down the crowd
line and executes a Flip Turn. The afterburner is terminated at the 270-degree point of the Flip
Turn. When clear, call "5/6 CLEAR."
E-2.3.2. Maneuver Specifics. A visual illusion can be anticipated when executing this
maneuver over a runway that is excessively wide (250 to 300 feet). The Solo pilot may perceive
he is lower than he actually is which is caused by the runway taking up more of his field of view
than usual for a 150 feet runway.
E-2.3.3. Right Solo Techniques. Normal delay is 25 seconds after the Right Solo rolls.
Simultaneously select full AB and call "5/6 ON THE ROLL." Make a normal takeoff roll and
accelerate to 150 to 160 KCAS. Lift off with a higher airspeed if the density altitude is such that
it adversely affects performance. Gently pull to 1.6 to 1.7 G, raise the gear, and establish a 180
KIAS minimum climb. After establishing the pitch attitude, unload to 0.4 to 0.5 G. Drive at this
airspeed until you reach the prebriefed roll altitude. At the roll altitude, make an unloaded roll to
inverted. Once you pick-up the show line, track the aircraft down the line. At the apex of your
climb, call "5/6 ON TOP (ALT)." The Leader uses this for his opener timing. Once stabilized at
the desired finish altitude, drive down the show line. As you cross show center, call "SHOW
CENTER." Accelerate down the show line to 6,000 to 8,000 feet from show center, then pull up
to execute your Flip Turn. Call "5/6 CLEAR."
E-2.3.4. Abnormal Procedures. If at anytime during the maneuver, it appears that the
maneuver will not attain the prescribed altitude/airspeed parameters, the maneuver will be
aborted. If during climb out you can not get your gear up or have some other difficulty on climb
out, use power as required and roll the aircraft off the show line. If the nose is in the 50 to 60
degree ballpark, it is preferable to roll to inverted and exit. In either case, be aware of airspeed,
altitude and G-loading.

O - 18

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

TAB R
DIAGRAMS
I.

MISHAP SITE DIAGRAM.............................................................................................. 3

R-1

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

R-2

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

I. MISHAP SITE DIAGRAM

R-3

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INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

R-4

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

TAB S
PHOTOGRAPHS
I.

INITIAL EJECTION (NOSE ON).................................................................................... 3

II.

EJECTION SEQUENCE ................................................................................................... 5

III. FIREBALL AND PARACHUTE ...................................................................................... 7

IV. FIREBALL AND ENGINE................................................................................................ 7
V.

AERIAL VIEW LOOKING NW (TOWARD THE TOWER)....................................... 9

VI. VIEW FROM THE TOWER ............................................................................................ 9

VII. POST CRASH CLOSEUP ............................................................................................... 11

S-1

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

S-2

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

I.

INITIAL EJECTION (NOSE ON)

S-3

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

S-4

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

II. EJECTION SEQUENCE

S-5

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

S-6

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

III. FIREBALL AND PARACHUTE

PARACHUTE

IV. FIREBALL AND ENGINE

ENGINE

S-7

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

S-8

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

V.

AERIAL VIEW LOOKING NW (TOWARD THE TOWER)

ENGINE
AIRCRAFT

267

PARACHUTE
CANOPY
INITIAL IMPACT
VI. VIEW FROM THE TOWER

S-9

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INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

S - 10

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

VII. POST CRASH CLOSEUP

S - 11

F-16C, 87-0327, 20030914RKMF528A

INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK

S - 12