Air Force blames crash that killed 14 on goggles case

[EweSeaEff]

So, here's the article: Air Force blames crash that killed 14 on goggles case

Summary: There was a C-130 that crashed immediately after takeoff from Jalalabad in October 2015. Taliban claimed responsibility, but that was refuted by the military. Air Force now releases their findings that the crash was caused by a nightvision goggles case that was left in front of the yoke. The pilot had placed the case there to aid in the loading of cargo (I guess putting the case there allowed him to prop up the plane's tail). He then forgot to remove the case before takeoff which, reportedly, ultimately led to the crash.

Here's my question, and I should preface it by saying that I've never been in a C-130 (or any other military aircraft): how in the hell would investigators be able to piece this all together? I mean, I guess someone on the ground could've seen the pilot put the case there, or perhaps he told some of the ground crew/loading team. But, how does the AF identify that he left the case there and that it's placement prevented him from pulling the yoke back as the nose started to dip after takeoff? Is there a camera in the cockpit with footage that was recovered? Or is it simply an educated guess by the AF?

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

I'd guess they have flight data recorders like commercial planes. The data told them how the crash happened, they just need to figure it out. If the case was wedged in there it's possible it was still there after the crash and/or people on the ground knew what the captain did.

 

[UCFKnight85]

There are loadmasters on the ground who could have identified the pilot's actions before takeoff; the AF then probably examined the cause of crash (too steep of incline, failure to correct) and then made an educated assumption. There may be a blackbox with audio recordings with the pilot stating that the yoke is jammed on a case.

 

[EweSeaEff]

There may be a blackbox with audio recordings with the pilot stating that the yoke is jammed on a case.

Good point; I didn't think about that.

 

[UCFKnight85]

I'm sure the conspiracy theorists think the Taliban actually did take down the plane, and the AF is just inventing this story to not let them take any public credit.

 

[1ofTheseKnights]

Pat Tillman's coverup was also just wakco conspiracy theorist shit too?

Get on your knees for that globalist miltary industrial complex - Israel is counting on you.

ASSAD MUST GO!!!

 

[MACHater02]

Had he tried to pull the yoke back it would have come back. The problem was it couldn't be pushed forward to stop the plane from climbing. I'm sure that's all on the flight data recorders.

 

[btbones]

Had he tried to pull the yoke back it would have come back. The problem was it couldn't be pushed forward to stop the plane from climbing. I'm sure that's all on the flight data recorders.

And I assume the more he pulled the throttle back on take off the case likely kept jamming it in that position . crazy with all the technology and checks that this happened

 

[brahmanknight]

And I assume the more he pulled the throttle back on take off the case likely kept jamming it in that position . crazy with all the technology and checks that this happened

I don't think it's crazy at all. Typically accidents like this don't happen if the operators use the equipment as designed and under manufacturer designated conditions.

If Challenger was used in the conditions it was designed for, that accident likely never happens.

There are always new operating conditions that no one foresaw, of course. But the misuse is the usual culprit.

 

[ucflee]

Had he tried to pull the yoke back it would have come back. The problem was it couldn't be pushed forward to stop the plane from climbing. I'm sure that's all on the flight data recorders.

The angle of attack would have exceeded the ability of the wings to produce lift. As this is happening, the emergency procedure would be to push the nose down and add power (if available). If not the aircraft will stall and crash. I can see how blocked controls could lead to this condition.

 

[NinjaKnight]

Complacency (and crazy high ops tempo) kills. I am still shocked that the AC would do something like this though.

I was taught an (unofficial) technique for whenever you have to put a control or system in position where you do not want it to be left once you transition to a different stage of flight: take off your flight glove and stick it on the yoke/stick. This draws your (and more importantly other crew members assuming it isn't a single seat) attention to the fact that you have the aircraft in a non standard condition, and you should remember to revert back prior to transitioning.

Sadly this was a 100% preventable accident (as many are). But the whole "do more with less" environment should have more blame than the AC.

 

[ucflee]

Sequestration/ not enough funding has set maintenance, readiness, and manning conditions, then pile on ops tempo and these issues should be definitely listed as root cause in many recent mishaps. Unfortunately, it is too easy for investigators to lable human error as the root cause and the other things as contributing factors (if listed at all)