Report: Pilot Error Led to F-16 Mishap

Pilots’ overconfidence, inadequate rest, fatigue, and a lack of discipline all contributed to an Aug. 1 mid-air collision that downed one F-16 fighter and significantly damaged another, an accident-investigation board has determined. The two pilots were attached to the 121st Fighter Squadron, 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard, based at Joint Base Andrews, Md., when the incident occurred. They were taking part in nighttime tactical air-intercept training at the time. One pilot was following the other visually when he should have been paying attention to his cockpit display when they collided, the report stated. The errant pilot safely landed his plane, which sustained $1.1 million damages. The other pilot sustained minor injuries when he ejected safely. His F-16, valued at about $22 million, crashed in the water and was a total loss.