The fatal crash of a US Air Force TU-2S surveillance aircraft on 20 Sept, 2016 near Sutter, California has been attributed to pilot er...
The fatal crash of a US Air Force TU-2S surveillance aircraft on 20 Sept, 2016 near Sutter, California has been attributed to pilot error, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report.
The two seat trainer version of the venerable U-2 spy plane, the TU-2S was on a training mission, when the aircraft entered an unintentional secondary stall and the two pilots ejected.
During the ejection sequence, the instructor pilot, Lt. Col. Ira S. Eadie, was killed, and the trainee pilot received minor injuries.
The TU-2S, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, Calif., was conducting an “acceptance flight” training mission. TU-2S pilots are competitively selected from the USAF’s already qualified aviator pool, and applicants undergo three “acceptance flights” as a part of their interview process.
These flights allow prospective TU-2S pilots the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the TU-2S, under supervision of a TU-2S Instructor Pilot.
The mishap occurred during an "approach to stall" maneuver as part of the first acceptance flight for the interviewing pilot.
During the recovery from the stall, the interviewing pilot’s flight control inputs placed the aircraft into an unintentional secondary stall, which led to a sharp left wing drop and excessive nose-low attitude.
With the aircraft having departed controlled flight and rapidly approaching an inverted condition near the minimum uncontrolled ejection altitude, the instructor pilot commanded ejection.
During the ejection sequence, the instructor pilot and his ejection seat struck the aircraft’s right wing resulting in fatal injuries.
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| The post crash fire caused a 232 acre grass fire in the region. |
While ejecting, the rocket blast from the Eadie.s ejection seat caused burns to the prospective pilot's face, who first hesitated to eject.
The $32 million aircraft was completely destroyed as it descended and crashed in the uninhabited foothills south of the Sutter Buttes mountain range.
U-2 provide manned high altitude surveillance capability with its ability to reach an altitude of more than 70,000 ft and 7000+ miles flight range. The long and narrow wings with a span of 105 feet (32 meters) give the U-2 glider-like characteristics and allow it to quickly lift heavy sensor payloads to unmatched altitudes.
Built in complete secrecy by Kelly Johnson and the Lockheed Skunk Works in 1950s to over fly Soviet Union, it is powered by a single General Electric F118-101 engine, with a thrust of 17,000 pounds.
Maximum takeoff weight is 40,000 pounds (18,000 kilograms) and have a fuel capacity of 2,950 gallons. Due to its aged design and the intended high altitude surveillance role, its one of the most difficult aircraft to fly.
