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F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 2:58 pm
by 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
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:05 pm
by paddyboy
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:16 pm
by 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).
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:27 pm
by Gary
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 8:31 pm
by PeteHemsley
The aircraft did not explode, but the techs have hearing injuries?
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 9:07 pm
by Nighthawke
Maybe not classed as an explosion but something may have gone bang to cause injury?
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:39 am
by rh226
It did. Apparently a technician fired the cannon from another aircraft undergoing maintenance.
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=216189
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:34 pm
by 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...
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:27 pm
by Arthur Tee
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
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:12 pm
by 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?
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:23 pm
by bobthehandyman
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.
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:29 am
by Vulcan7
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 3:43 pm
by 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!
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 4:05 pm
by Nighthawke
Adderman - please can you provide further info where FA-92 fits into this? Thanks - maybe I've missed something.
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 12:59 am
by 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.
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 1:51 pm
by Seahornet1
Wasn't it a similar event that initiated the Forrestal disaster...? Albeit that a rocket or missile was involved rather than a gun...
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:21 pm
by f106dart
Maybe it was inside information and not published. People do have their sources
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 1:34 pm
by wdh
i wonder how the mechanic will explain that one to the pilot...
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 2:13 pm
by Pete_uk
That will be a interesting entry into the incident log...
Re: F16 exploded at Florennes 2018
Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:33 am
by Gary
