Accident Overview
On 15 May 2023, at 1500 local time, an F-15D (tail number 84-0046) assigned to the 173d Fighter Wing crashed after landing on Runway 14 at Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base, Oregon. The aircraft, valued at $35,536,444, was destroyed in the accident. The mishap pilot, also assigned to the 173d Fighter Wing, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. There were no fatalities.
Sequence of Events
The mishap flight was a local training mission with F-35As in a Military Operating Area approximately 100 nautical miles northwest of Kingsley Field, with a planned return via a low-level route. The pilot flew as the lead aircraft during takeoff, transition, return, and landing. While on the low-level route, the aircraft experienced a hydraulic malfunction. The pilot terminated the mission and declared an in-flight emergency. After landing, the aircraft experienced a loss of normal braking. The pilot lowered the aircraft's arresting hook to engage the departure-end arrestment cable. However, the local tower controller misinterpreted the pilot's intent and lowered the departure-end arrestment cable. The aircraft failed to successfully engage the barrier, departed the runway surface, and impacted an irrigation canal. The pilot safely egressed the aircraft.
Findings and Causes
The Accident Investigation Board president determined, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the mishap was caused by the pilot's decision not to engage the aircraft's Emergency Brake/Steer System in accordance with checklist guidance. Additionally, two factors substantially contributed to the mishap: the pilot and the local tower controller failed to effectively communicate, leading to the controller lowering the departure-end arrestment cable during an aircraft emergency; and maintenance personnel failed to perform required maintenance procedures and documentation.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The F-15D was assigned to the 173d Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident. The pilot was on a local training mission and had declared an in-flight emergency due to a hydraulic malfunction. The pilot's egress was successful, and search and rescue operations were conducted. The pilot received medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.
Maintenance and Systems
The accident investigation noted that maintenance personnel failed to perform required procedures and documentation. The aircraft experienced a hydraulic system malfunction during the flight, which led to the loss of normal braking upon landing. The utility hydraulic system overview indicates that the fuel oil heat exchanger was part of the system, but specific details on the malfunction were not provided in the source. The aircraft was inspected and underwent unscheduled maintenance prior to the flight, but the specific failures were not detailed.
Contributing Factors
The Accident Investigation Board identified two substantial contributing factors: communication breakdown between the pilot and the controller, and maintenance failures. The controller misinterpreted the pilot's intent regarding the arrestment cable, and maintenance personnel did not follow required procedures. These factors collectively led to the aircraft's inability to stop on the runway and subsequent crash into the irrigation canal.