C-5 Accident Invistigation

[Robbie Stuart]

This link is from a thread over at Warbird Aero Press Pylon Place. Its amazing that there was no loss of life. Watch the N1 indicators & throttle positions.
http://www.veoh.com/videoDetails.html?v=e95784STtMjzHP
Robbie

[Forgotten Field]

Does the USAF do this for all crashes?

Can somebody explain his choices on this event with those conditions? Also, why would he dump flaps at such a low altitude? I could see him pulling them up once on the ground, but doesn't that exaggerate a bad situation?

I read the tail hit at 10G's and the cockpit struck at 30G's. How are the crew members doing? I heard some were pretty badly hurt.

[bdk]

I read the tail hit at 10G's and the cockpit struck at 30G's.

Hit what, and when? The tail broke off and the plane continued on for some time along the ground. With significant energy absorption of the structure as it deformed/broke up the occupants may not have seen that much. Don't know what that number represents.

My understanding was that there was one serious, but not life threatening injury.

A major screw up that was preventable for sure.

[AndyG]

FYI: Onboard accelerometers can record seemingly incredible instantaneous (but very short lived) 'G' forces from a large aircraft taxing over e.g. bumps between concrete apron slabs at fairly low speeds. Not so damaging as a 10g sustained load in the examples quoted though.

[Originalboxcar]

Background:

From http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123021742

C-5 accident investigation board complete

6/13/2006 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill (AFPN) -- The results of an investigation into the C-5 Galaxy crash at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on April 3 found that human error was the cause, Air Mobility Command officials released today.

The accident investigation board determined the pilots and flight engineers did not properly configure, maneuver and power the aircraft during approach and landing.

Following a normal takeoff and initial climb, the C-5 aircrew observed a No. 2 engine “Thrust Reverser Not Locked” indication light. They shut down the No. 2 engine as a precaution and returned to Dover AFB. The board determined that during the return to the base:



-- The pilots and flight engineers continued to use the shut-down No. 2 engine’s throttle while leaving the fully-operational No. 3 engine in idle.

-- Both instructor and primary flight engineers failed to brief, and pilots failed to consider and use, a proper flap setting.

-- The pilots’ attempt at a visual approach to runway 32 resulted in the aircraft descending well below a normal glidepath for an instrument-aided approach or the normal visual flight rules pattern altitude.

-- The aircraft commander failed to give a complete approach briefing that would have included non-standard factors, configuration, landing distance and missed approach intentions.


All 17 people on board the C-5 survived the crash, but three crewmembers were seriously injured when the aircraft stalled, hit a utility pole and crashed into a field about a mile short of the runway. The other passengers and crewmembers sustained minor injures and were treated and released from local hospitals.

The aircraft was assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing and was flown by members of the 512th Airlift Wing, a Reserve associate unit at Dover. It was bound for Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and was carrying 105,000 pounds of replenishment supplies for the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

regards,


t~