What happened
On 7 November 2022, near the coast of Florida, a KC-46A Pegasus, serial number 15-046070, was engaged in routine air refueling operations with an F-22A Raptor, serial number **09-004183. During a breakaway maneuver, the Air Refueling Boom (ARB) nozzle experienced a binding event that resulted in structural damage to the equipment. The incident caused approximately $103,295.12 in government losses.
The investigation
The Air Force accident investigation established that the mishap was triggered by manual control inputs made by the boom operator. These inputs applied a radial force to the ARB nozzle, causing it to become stuck within the receiver's receptacle. The resulting forces exceeded the structural limits of the nozzle, rendering it beyond repair.
The board also examined the movement of the F-22A during the contact phase. Data analysis revealed that the receiver aircraft moved forward relative to the tanker while the aircraft were still connected. This was attributed to the pilot's failure to account for known "stiff boom" characteristics, which can cause excessive telescope rates if power corrections are not immediately applied.
Furthermore, investigators looked into the effectiveness of the KC-46A's Remote Vision System (RVS). The investigation found that the 3D camera system provided insufficient image detail and reduced depth perception due to its grayscale nature. This lack of visual clarity prevented the boom operator from verifying that the nozzle was clear of the receiver's receptacle before applying controls.
Findings
- Manual control inputs by the boom operator caused a radial force that led to the nozzle binding.
- The pilot of the F-22A failed to account for the KC-46A "stiff boom" characteristics, leading to rapid forward movement relative to the tanker.
- The boom operator was unable to visually confirm the clearance of the nozzle from the receptacle due to limitations in the Remote Vision System's image quality.