An accident investigation board has found that the cause of the May 30 crash of another Missouri Air National Guard F-15 was a jammed aileron rudder interconnect crossover cable, according to Associated Press (report via The Kansas City Star). The fighter crashed during a training flight, and the pilot ejected, which the board determined was his only course of action. This was an F-15D model, while the recent crash of a C model belong to the Missouri ANG’s 131st Fighter Wing prompted the Air Force to ground all F-15s. (See above.)
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.