What happened
On March 6, 2012, an Israeli Aircraft Industries F-21-C2 single-seat turbojet fighter, registration N404AX, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Van Voorhis Airfield, Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was fatally injured.
The aircraft was operating as part of a training exercise for the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. During the mission, weather conditions deteriorated significantly, with snow and high winds arriving earlier than forecast. As the exercise concluded, several aircraft began returning to the airfield. The pilot of N404AX reported a critical fuel state during the return.
During the approach, the pilot experienced difficulties with radar guidance. The Radar Final Controller 1 experienced equipment issues while setting up the Precision Approach Radar (PAR) console, leading to a loss of radar contact and a missed approach. The pilot subsequently requested to divert to Reno, but the approach controller did not relay that Reno's weather was also below minimums. The pilot then returned to Fallon, reporting that he had only eight minutes of fuel remaining.
In a final attempt to land, the pilot executed a low-altitude maneuver, transitioning from an approach for runway 31L to a modified downwind for runway 13R. At approximately 0914 PST, the aircraft struck the ground in an open field and impacted a concrete munitions storage building. The aircraft was substantially damaged by the impact and subsequent fire.
The investigation
The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure in the aircraft's engines, structures, or fuel systems. There was also no evidence of pilot fatigue or physiological issues.
Investigators determined that the Air Traffic Control (ATC) approach controller became saturated while sequencing multiple returning aircraft. The PAR controller's difficulty setting up the radar equipment resulted in the aircraft being vectored off the precision approach. Furthermore, the approach controller failed to inform the pilot that the intended diversion airport, Reno, was below weather minimums, which contributed to unnecessary fuel consumption.
Regarding the pilot, records indicated a potential lack of sufficient instrument proficiency in the Kfir. The investigation also noted that the pilot' $ ext{decision-making}$ involved attempting a hazardous low-altitude landing instead of ejecting when fuel exhaustion was imminent. The Martin-Baker ejection seat was examined, and the firing mechanism had not been activated.
Findings
- The approach controller's handling of the aircraft was deficient, resulting in an extended flight pattern of more than 30 miles of excess distance.
- The pilot's decision to attempt an emergency landing in low visibility rather than ejecting contributed to the severity of the accident.
- The organizational oversight environment lacked the airman, aircraft, or risk management controls and standards typically expected in commercial civil aviation operations.