Armed Forces News

Lt. Col. Mark Sletten, an F-35 Lightning II program integration officer, lowers the canopy on an F-16 Fighting Falcon before taxiing to take off Dec. 7, 2015, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. More than 30 maintenance Airmen worked an early shift to help launch several jets to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., for Checkered Flag 16-1, a large-force exercise that simulates a large number of aircraft in a deployed environment to cross-check weapons systems. (U.S. Air Force photo / Master Sgt. Joseph Swafford)

Bad weather and a partial loss of electrical power caused the crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon last Oct. 8, according to an investigation board report by the U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa.

The pilot ejected and sustained minor injuries, while the plane was destroyed. The incident occurred roughly eight nautical miles south of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, where the fighter was based.

The plane crashed in an unpopulated area near the town of Rodt – its navigation and flight systems failed because of the power failure, while bad weather hindered the pilot’s visibility.

“The Air Force is constantly evaluating its procedures with regard to safety, and the 480th Flying Squadron has incorporated these findings into their training and procedures,” the Air Force stated.