What happened
On 27 January 2020, an E-11A, registration 11-9358, was involved in a fatal accident in Afghanistan's Ghanzi Province. The aircraft, operated by the 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron out of Kandahar Airfield, departed for a combat mission in support of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL at 1105 local time. The flight was also serving as a mission qualification training sortie for one of the crew members.
Approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the flight, the aircraft experienced a catastrophic failure of the left engine caused by a broken fan blade. Following this failure, the crew incorrectly determined that the remaining right engine had also failed. In response to this misidentification, the crew initiated a shutdown of the right engine, resulting in a total loss of thrust.
In an attempt to return to Kandahar Airfield, which was roughly 230 nautical miles away, the crew attempted to restart both engines. However, they were unable to achieve an airstart for either engine. Lacking sufficient thrust to reach their original base, the crew directed the aircraft toward Forward Operating Base Sharana. Due to insufficient airspeed and altitude to complete a glide to the base, the aircraft attempted an emergency landing in a field approximately 21 nautical miles from the FOB. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
- A broken fan blade caused the initial failure of the left engine.
- The crew's improper assessment of the right engine's status led to the intentional shutdown of the remaining functional engine.