What happened
During a routine local training mission at Edinburgh Air Force Base, a single-pilot flight experienced a catastrophic structural failure. While the pilot was performing the approach phase of the flight, the tail section of the aircraft became detached from the main fuselage. This separation caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled dive toward the earth.
The aircraft struck the ground in the vicinity of the airfield. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot. No other occupants were on board at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was the separation of the tail section during the approach to the airfield.