F16 exploded at Florennes

[Ranger]

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.

Cheers,
Ranger

[paddyboy]

[James Cutting]

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).

[Gary]

Appears to be FA-128

https://www.eleftherostypos.gr/diethni/ ... o-eikones/

https://mobile.twitter.com/ebcrew00/sta ... 29346?s=19

[PeteHemsley]

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

[Nighthawke]

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

[rh226]

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

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=216189

[Allymcmurdo]

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...

[Arthur Tee]

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

[big john]

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?

[bobthehandyman]

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.

[Vulcan7]

Photos of the aftermath here.

https://www.aviation24.be/military-airc ... ge-second/

[adderman]

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!

[Nighthawke]

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

[Supra]

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.

[Seahornet1]

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

[f106dart]

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

[wdh]

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

[Pete_uk]

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

[Gary]

Brining this old thread back, finally seen this



https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 9934727748