Flight Accident Story

So this is a funny story in a way.  As you might know....I spent 22 years in the Air Force.  Over the years, I noticed a lot of screwed-up things....some got people into trouble....some just came and went.

In the early part of 2024....there's a Air Force bomber (a B-1B) that crashed...$450-million gone.  It happened at Ellsworth AFB.

What they basically did....they missed the runway by 100 ft.  When this occurred, there were a lot of criticism how the crew (2 guys) could have done this.  

So an investigation started up.  

The team came to a couple of failure points.  

Flying operation supervision....meaning a ranking officer around to remind people of good  habits, bad weather, or minimize risks?  That was laid out there as a problem.

Bad weather? Yep....that was a problem.

Something called "an unhealthy organizational culture that permitted degradation of airmanship skills."  This typically means the pilots party too much. 

Then they got to two interesting aspects. 

Once you show up for the flight....you end up in the room with the pilot gear and you put on X, Y and Z.  For some odd reason....one guy in this group wasn't wearing proper-fitting gear.  They don't explain this to any detail....but they note that this was the one guy who was injured when he ejected out of the plane.  They don't say it was the pilot's fault or the NCO who was preping him.

So here's the funny part.....the ejection seat?  It was set to 211 pounds.  Based on what they said....it probably would have worked still ok.....up to 245 pounds.

If you are 6'1".....then your max AF weight can be up to 208 pounds.  Enlisted or officer....it doesn't matter.

As they carried the injured pilot  off to the hospital after the event....they weighed him....without all the gear....he came to 260 pounds.  Meaning?  He was 52 pounds over his max.

In the final report....they just kinda hinted around....his injuries came mostly from the excess weight.  Him getting disability later in life?  Well....they don't say anything but I doubt that they will ever approve his disability status.

How you get to 260 pounds....if you were only 73 inches?  That might be interesting to note.

What'll happen now?  I'm guessing for a year or two...the Air Force is going to get super-strict over weight, and likely start weighing everyone at least two times a year.  Pilots?  They probably will get a lot of  attention.