Accident Sequence
On 28 May 2024, at approximately 1:37 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time, an F-16C (tail number 86-0322) assigned to the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska, struck multiple birds shortly after takeoff. The mishap pilot (MP) reported serious engine stalls on the formation frequency and emergency jettisoned the aircraft's two external wing fuel tanks. The tanks impacted an undeveloped forested area approximately 1.2 nautical miles west of Runway 32. The MP conducted a precautionary flameout landing back at Eielson AFB on Runway 32. After taxiing clear, the MP noted three dead birds on the runway near Taxiway Bravo. The engine was shut down. Total time from bird strike to taxi clear was under three minutes.
Aircraft and Personnel
The mishap aircraft (MA) was an F-16C, tail number 86-0322. Both the MP and MA were assigned to the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 354th Fighter Wing, at Eielson AFB. The mission was a routine training sortie where four F-16Cs served as adversaries against four F-22s from the 90th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The MP was leading the four-ship formation during an annual evaluation.
Damage and Recovery
The bird strike caused damage to the engine, with at least one waterfowl entering the engine intake. The total cost damage estimate to the engine was $1,265,213.00. The jettisoned fuel tanks, valued at $52,220, were destroyed on impact with the ground. No injuries resulted from the mishap. The aircraft recovered safely.
Cause Determination
The Accident Investigation Board president found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the mishap was caused by an unintentional collision of the MA with an unknown number of waterfowl shortly after takeoff. The wildlife was not observed by tower personnel, other aircrew, or the MP prior to the collision. There was no evidence that the MP or base personnel could have taken reasonable actions to avert the collision.