What happened
On 30 April 2024, an F-16C, tail number 87-0358, crashed approximately six and a half nautical miles southwest of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The aircraft, assigned to the 49th Wing, was conducting a planned Basic Surface Attack training mission in local airspace under clear skies and light winds.
Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of 1,030 feet, the engine experienced a loss of thrust. As airspeed decreased rapidly at this low altitude, the pilot initiated emergency procedures and subsequently ejected one minute and eighteen seconds after the initial engine failure. The aircraft struck the ground within White Sands National Park, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe and an estimated loss of over $21 million. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was rescued by an Army Air helicopter.
The investigation
The investigation examined the engine' and airframe history, noting that there were no recent maintenance discrepancies or write-ups for the aircraft. While local maintainers followed all applicable guidance, investigators noted a significant limitation: the fifth stage of the engine cannot be inspected by field-level personnel and is only accessible during depot-level teardowns.
Engine analysis revealed that a compressor blade had separated during flight. Investigators also reviewed maintenance records from a previous foreign object damage (FOD) event in August 2022 to determine if it contributed to the failure, though they could not definitively establish how the specific component became misaligned.