Mishap statistics scoreboard - military aviation accidents

Combat Edge, Feb, 2003

Aircraft Notes

Another tough month for Air Combat Command. A midair collision between two A-10's at Nellis AFB with one of the pilots being killed resulted in COMACC directing a down day with the focus being flight leadership. As mentioned in last months stats, flight leadership and human factors continue to be a common thread in ACC's mishaps. ACC's flight leadership focus day was a time to pause and reflect on how we do business; however, even with this focus and strong emphasis from the leaders above we still had another ops-related mishap in December. Two F-16's at Hill AFB had a midair during a radar trail recovery. Luckily, no one was hurt and both jets landed safely. Again we should take the time and ask ourselves some questions: Do you ever check your wingman during a radar trail recovery/departure? Do you ever review radar tapes during this phase of flight? We can all learn from other people's mistakes. Doing so will help us stay tactically sharp and be able to take the fight to the enemy.

Ground Notes

The first quarter of FY03 showed an increase of Class As over FY02. There were six Class A mishaps in FY02 and seven in FY03. All were fatal in FY02 and there were six fatals with sever deaths plus one permanent total disability in FY03. All of the mishaps in FY03 have been in motor vehicles.

Weapons Notes

There are no noticeable increases in mishap rates. However, continue to place emphasis on procedures for loading/unloading missiles (AIM-9s, AGM-88s, etc.). Sheared umbilicals have been an ongoing problem area, not only for the command but the entire Air Force.

FY03 Aircraft

As of January 1, 2003

                   Fatal  Class A

8 AF
9 AF
12 AF              !      **@@
AWFC                      ^ #
ANG (ACC-gained)
AFRC (ACC-gained)  !      *

FY03 Ground

As of January 1, 2003

       Fatal  Class A  Class B

8 AF             0        1
9 AF   !!        3        0
12 AF  !!!!!     4        0
DRU's  !         1        0

FY03 Weapons

As of January 1, 2003

       Class A  Class B

8 AF      0        0
9 AF      0        0
12 AF     0        0
AWFC      0        0

Legend

Class A - Permanent Total Disability; Property Damage $1,000,000 or more

Class B - Permanent Partial Disability; Property Damage between $200,000
and $1,000,000

Class C - Lost Workday; Property Damage between $20,000 and $200,000

* Non-rate Producing

Symbols for Mishap Aircraft

@ A-10

* F-16

^ RQ-1

# F-15