Accident Summary
On 2 December 2019, at 1537 hours local time, an F-16CM Block 40 aircraft, tail number 90-0714, assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, crashed during landing. The mishap pilot, an instructor pilot from the 80th Fighter Squadron, was returning from a local continuation training sortie. Upon touchdown, the right main landing gear (RMLG) collapsed, causing the aircraft to yaw right and depart the runway. The pilot successfully ejected, sustaining only minor injuries. The aircraft, valued at $19.4 million, was completely destroyed. No other casualties or civilian property damage occurred.
Sequence of Events
The mishap aircraft landed on Runway 36 at Kunsan AB. As the RMLG contacted the runway, it collapsed, and the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot attempted to keep the aircraft on the runway and initiate a go-around, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The pilot then ejected safely. The aircraft remained upright, skidding across the infield and becoming airborne intermittently before coming to rest approximately 2,200 feet from the initial touchdown point, rotated 150 degrees from the runway heading.
Cause
The Accident Investigation Board determined that the mishap was caused by a failure of the RMLG downlock actuator. The tension on the main landing gear exceeded the force the downlock actuator could withstand, leading to collapse of the RMLG. This rendered the aircraft uncontrollable during the landing phase. The issue is a known problem for F-16C/D Blocks 40, 42, 50, and 52 and is addressed by Time Compliance Technical Order 1F-16-2855.