2015 Moncks Corner mid-air collision

2015 Monck's Corner mid-air collision
F-16, similar to the accident aircraft.
Accident
Date July 7, 2015 (2015-07-07)
Summary Mid-air collision due to Air Traffic Control error
Site Moncks Corner, South Carolina, United States
First aircraft
Type General Dynamics F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon
Operator United States Air Force
Registration 96-0085
Flight origin Shaw AFB
Destination Joint Base Charleston
Crew 1
Survivors 1 (all)
Second aircraft

Cessna 150M, similar to the accident aircraft
Type Cessna 150M
Registration N3601V
Flight origin Berkeley County Airport
Destination Myrtle Beach International Airport
Passengers 1
Crew 1
Fatalities 2 (all)

On July 7, 2015, a General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon operated by the United States Air Force collided in-flight with a civilian Cessna 150M over Moncks Corner, South Carolina, United States. Both occupants of the Cessna were killed; the pilot of the F-16 ejected safely.

Accident

The F-16 was a United States Air Force General Dynamics F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon,[1] serial number 96-0085.[2] It was based at Shaw Air Force Base,[3] and it was operated by the 20th Fighter Wing.[4] The Cessna was a Cessna 150M,[5] registration N3601V.[6]

At about 11:00 AM on July 7, 2015, the F-16 and Cessna 150 collided over Moncks Corner, South Carolina, about 30 miles (48 km) north of Charleston.[3] Witnesses state that the Cessna was climbing when the F-16 hit it broadside.[7] The Cessna (N3601V) was climbing out of the MKS airport under visual flight rules, not in communication with FAA Air Traffic Control. Death 41 (USAF F-16) was on an ATC assigned heading of 260 degrees and issued a descent to maintain 1600' for an ILS approach to Runway15 at KCHS. At 1100:16, the CHS ATC approach controller issued a traffic advisory advising the F-16 pilot of "traffic 12 o'clock, 2 miles, opposite direction, 1,200 [ft altitude] indicated, type unknown." At 1100:24, the F-16 pilot responded that he was "looking" for the traffic. At 1100:26, the controller advised the F-16 pilot, "turn left heading 180 if you don't have that traffic in sight." At 1100:30, the pilot asked, "confirm 2 miles?" At 1100:33, the controller stated, "if you don't have that traffic in sight turn left heading 180 immediately." As the controller was stating the instruction and over the next 18 seconds, the radar-derived ground track of the F-16 began turning southerly toward the designated heading. At 1100:49, the radar target of the F-16 was 1/2 nm northeast of the Cessna, at an altitude of 1,500 ft, and was on an approximate track of 215º. At that time, the Cessna reported an altitude of 1,400 ft and was established on an approximate ground track of 110º. Death 41 and N3601V collided at an approximate altitude of 1450'[8]. The F-16 flew for a further three minutes before the pilot transmitted a mayday call. He then ejected safely.[9][10] Both aircraft crashed in Lewisfield Plantation.[3] Both occupants of the Cessna 150 were killed.[11] The body of the passenger has been located, but not that of the pilot/owner.[12][13] The pilot of the F-16 was on an instrument training mission. Its destination was Joint Base Charleston.[4] The Cessna was reported to be on a flight from Berkeley County Airport to Myrtle Beach.[7]

Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board opened an investigation into the accident.[14] A preliminary report was published on July 18.[9] The cause of the accident was found to be Air Traffic Control errors in failing to provide an appropriate conflict resolution between the two aircraft.[15] The Federal Aviation Administration also opened an investigation.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "F-16 collides with Cessna over South Carolina". f-16.net. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Airframe Details for F-16 #96-0085". f-16.net. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "F-16, Cessna collide over Berkeley County plantation". ABC News. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Botelho, Greg; Nottingham, Shawn. "F-16 jet, Cessna airplane collide over South Carolina". CNN. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Aircraft Registration (N3601V)". Flight Aware. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ "FAA Accident and Incident Notification(s): Notice(s) Created 08-JUL-15". Federal Aviation Administration. Archived from the original on 2015-07-09. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 Pager, Tyler. "2 killed after F-16, Cessna collide over S.C." USA Today. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  8. ↑ "NTSB Report".
  9. 1 2 "NTSB Identification: ERA15FA259A". National Transportation Safety Board. July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Two Dead In F-16-Cessna Collision". AVweb. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  11. ↑ Santos, Suzelle; Phillips, Patrick. "NTSB: 2 killed aboard Cessna in midair collision with F-16". Tucson News Now. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Cessna 150, F-16 collision: Body of passenger found as search for pilot continues". CBC News. July 8, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  13. ↑ "FAA Registry – Aircraft – N-Number Inquiry". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Shaw Air Force Base F-16 pilot taken to Joint Base Charleston". The State. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Educating Controllers on Two Midair Collisions" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.

Coordinates: 33°11′46″N 80°00′36″W / 33.196°N 80.010°W / 33.196; -80.010

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