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F16 exploded at Florennes

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Ranger
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F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Ranger » Thu Oct 11, 2018 2:58 pm

Just learned a Belgian F16 exploded on the flightline at Florennes this afternoon during maintenance work. 1 or 2 other F16's are damaged as well and some personel are injured.

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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by paddyboy » Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:05 pm

:O :'(
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James Cutting
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by James Cutting » Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:16 pm

Seen here:

Wish the guys a speedy recovery :'(

https://www.rtl.be/info/regions/namur/u ... 67271.aspx
An incident occurred this afternoon on the maintenance parking of the Air Force Base Florennes. An F-16 caught fire, and not exploded as advanced several media. This was, however, what was announced to help during the call.

The fire broke out during maintenance work on the machine. A second aircraft suffered collateral damage. In this context, two technicians were injured (hearing disorders). They were treated on the spot, indicates a press release.

An investigation was initiated by the ASD (Aviation Safety Directorate).
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Gary
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Gary » Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:27 pm

Posh are going to Wembley (albeit for a tin cup)

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PeteHemsley
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by PeteHemsley » Thu Oct 11, 2018 8:31 pm

The aircraft did not explode, but the techs have hearing injuries?

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Nighthawke
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Nighthawke » Thu Oct 11, 2018 9:07 pm

Maybe not classed as an explosion but something may have gone bang to cause injury?

rh226
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by rh226 » Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:39 am

It did. Apparently a technician fired the cannon from another aircraft undergoing maintenance. :Oops: :Wow:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=216189
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Allymcmurdo » Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:34 pm

I'm prepared to be proven wrong but I'm calling BS on it being damaged by rounds from the Canon. Just too many things to wrong before you get into a position to fire a weapon system on the ground.
I'm no expert on BAF maintenance practices but in the RAF we didn't work on armed aircraft. Any maintenance required resulted in the aircraft being downloaded. This is would be the first entry on the job card.
We certainly didn't take loaded aircraft into a hangar either.
Then so many switches to overcome even before the trigger is pressed. Weight on wheels, master arm, late arm. Just seems a lot to go wrong...
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Arthur Tee
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Arthur Tee » Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:27 pm

Allymcmurdo wrote:
Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:34 pm
I'm prepared to be proven wrong but I'm calling BS on it being damaged by rounds from the Canon. Just too many things to wrong before you get into a position to fire a weapon system on the ground.
I'm no expert on BAF maintenance practices but in the RAF we didn't work on armed aircraft. Any maintenance required resulted in the aircraft being downloaded. This is would be the first entry on the job card.
We certainly didn't take loaded aircraft into a hangar either.
Then so many switches to overcome even before the trigger is pressed. Weight on wheels, master arm, late arm. Just seems a lot to go wrong...
My thoughts too initially - but if the ‘shooting’ aircraft was in an open HAS on the other side of the airfield...?

Arthur

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big john
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by big john » Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:12 pm

Or the shooter was on its way to have the guns tested after Maintenance and the technician was setting it up before reaching a safe place, to save time?
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by bobthehandyman » Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:23 pm

Allymcmurdo wrote:
Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:34 pm
I'm prepared to be proven wrong but I'm calling BS on it being damaged by rounds from the Canon. Just too many things to wrong before you get into a position to fire a weapon system on the ground.
I'm no expert on BAF maintenance practices but in the RAF we didn't work on armed aircraft. Any maintenance required resulted in the aircraft being downloaded. This is would be the first entry on the job card.
We certainly didn't take loaded aircraft into a hangar either.
Then so many switches to overcome even before the trigger is pressed. Weight on wheels, master arm, late arm. Just seems a lot to go wrong...
I had the same thoughts as you, and then one of the team as Scrabble pointed out to me, this was in Belgium, factor that in and its just possible.

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Vulcan7
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Vulcan7 » Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:29 am


adderman
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by adderman » Sun Oct 14, 2018 3:43 pm

Hi All.
Hell of a mess to clear up either way but least everyone survived.

Wonder if FA-92 will ever have a 'kill' painted on it!

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Nighthawke
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Nighthawke » Sun Oct 14, 2018 4:05 pm

Adderman - please can you provide further info where FA-92 fits into this? Thanks - maybe I've missed something.

Supra
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Supra » Mon Oct 15, 2018 12:59 am

Can't find the story again but apparently FA-92 is the 'shooter'! It was in a hangar nearby & defying the odds (& regulations) the Technician was able to discharge live rounds (inadvertently??) at the ill-fated FA-128, fortunately missing the adjacent personnel.

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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Seahornet1 » Mon Oct 15, 2018 1:51 pm

Wasn't it a similar event that initiated the Forrestal disaster...? Albeit that a rocket or missile was involved rather than a gun...

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f106dart
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by f106dart » Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:21 pm

Maybe it was inside information and not published. People do have their sources

wdh
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by wdh » Wed Oct 17, 2018 1:34 pm

i wonder how the mechanic will explain that one to the pilot... :whistle: :Oops:

Pete_uk
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes

Post by Pete_uk » Wed Oct 17, 2018 2:13 pm

That will be a interesting entry into the incident log...

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Gary
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Re: F16 exploded at Florennes 2018

Post by Gary » Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:33 am

Brining this old thread back, finally seen this :lol:

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https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 9934727748
Posh are going to Wembley (albeit for a tin cup)

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