History of Flight
On March 6, 2012, at approximately 0914 Pacific Standard Time, an Israeli Aircraft Industries Kfir F-21-C2 single-seat turbojet fighter, registration N404AX, operated by Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) under contract to Naval Air Systems Command, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Van Voorhis Airfield, Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. The aircraft was part of a training exercise for the Navy Fighter Weapons School ("Topgun") and was assigned the call sign "Topgun29."
The accident pilot had preflighted and briefed the mission earlier that morning. Prior to takeoff, the pilot inquired about weather conditions due to snow flurries and gusty winds, which were forecast to worsen. The duty weather observer advised him of variable winds from southwest to northwest at 20-25 knots with gusts to 38 knots, and that snow showers would arrive in 30 to 45 minutes. The pilot departed at approximately 0748 and proceeded to the exercise area. The exercise concluded early due to weather, and aircraft began returning to base.
As the accident pilot returned, weather conditions deteriorated rapidly. Several aircraft ahead of him executed visual approaches successfully, but the accident pilot was vectored for a Precision Approach Radar (PAR) approach. The first PAR attempt was aborted due to radar contact loss and a missed approach was executed. A second PAR approach also resulted in a missed approach after the pilot reported being above glide path and left of course. The pilot then requested a diversion to Reno International Airport, citing low fuel and half-mile visibility. However, Reno was also below weather minimums, and the aircraft was not equipped with an Instrument Landing System receiver. The pilot decided to return to Fallon.
On the return, the pilot reported critical fuel and requested a visual descent. Air traffic controllers provided vectors but could not clear him for a contact approach due to low visibility. The pilot continued descending below minimum vectoring altitude, reporting that he would crash if not cleared to land. He switched to tower frequency, asking to land on runway 31L, but then turned and asked for runway 13R. At approximately 0914, while making a right turn about 100 feet above ground, the aircraft struck the ground in an open field in the northwest corner of the airport and impacted a concrete munitions storage building. Witnesses reported high winds, snow squalls, and a "wobbling" motion before impact. Fire and explosions from ejection seat components prevented immediate rescue.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot was fatally injured by multiple blunt force injuries.
Damage to Airplane
The airplane was substantially damaged by impact forces and fire. The forward third of the aircraft, from the nose to just aft of the delta wing leading edge, was highly crushed and fragmented from impact with a steel-reinforced concrete bunker. Fire was evident in the forward portions and largely contained within the bunker. Cockpit and instrument panels were largely consumed or damaged by fire. The aft portions sustained less impact damage and little fire damage.
Other Damage
Two concrete munitions storage buildings sustained damage, along with airfield fencing and pavement, due to impact forces and post-crash fire.
Personnel Information
The accident pilot, age 51, held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with no aircraft type ratings. He reported 4,679 total flight hours, with 79 hours in the Kfir. He had completed the ATAC Kfir training program in September 2011, which included three transition flights but no instrument approaches. His last flight review was March 2011. He held a valid FAA Class 1 medical certificate with a corrective lens restriction for near vision.
The approach controller, a U.S. Navy Petty Officer, had been certified on the approach position in February 2012. He reported that the situation became very busy with multiple aircraft calling for instrument clearances and that he did not understand why the accident pilot missed approaches and requested a diversion. The radar final controllers (RFC1 and RFC2) also participated; RFC1 had been certified only one day prior and had difficulty with the PAR console settings in bad weather, while RFC2 had been certified since January 2011 and conducted three PAR approaches that day.
Aircraft Information
The Israeli Aircraft Industries F-21-C2 Kfir is a single-seat, single-engine multi-role combat aircraft based on the Dassault Mirage. The accident aircraft was operating as a non-military public aircraft under Title 49 U.S. Code.