Accident Description
On July 31, 2010, a training flight in preparation for the Thunder Air Show at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base ended in a crash. The aircraft took off from runway 06 and shortly thereafter the pilot-in-command initiated a left turn followed by a steep right turn. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded area approximately 3 kilometers northwest of the airbase, resulting in a large explosion. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a subsequent fire. All four crew members on board were killed.
Probable Cause
The board president determined that the probable cause of the mishap was pilot error. The pilot violated regulatory provisions and multiple flight manual procedures, placing the aircraft outside established flight parameters at an attitude and altitude from which recovery was not possible. Additionally, the copilot and safety observer failed to recognize the developing dangerous situation and did not make appropriate inputs. The crew on the flight deck ignored cautions and warnings and failed to respond to various challenge and reply items. The board also found that channelized attention, overconfidence, expectancy, misplaced motivation, procedural guidance, and program oversight substantially contributed to the mishap.