An Air Combat Command accident investigation board has concluded that pilot spatial disorientation was the cause of the June 15 crash of an F-16 in Iraq. As we reported earlier, Ohio Air National Guard pilot Lt. Col. Kevin Sonnenberg was flying a close air support mission aiding ground forces and died in the crash. (The Toledo Blade reports Sonnenberg was a lieutenant colonel.) The board determined that Sonnenberg recovered “sufficient” situational awareness but was too low to complete the recovery procedures he initiated.
With a fresh directive from the president, the department could opt to repeat its unconventional—and potentially unlawful—move to pay troops using unused non-personnel appropriations.
