Maintainers tending an F-16 of the California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing failed to properly torque bolts connecting a fuel line to the main fuel control unit, resulting in the crash of the fighter on Jan. 19, according to an Air Combat Command release last week. The accident investigation board found that the single-engine aircraft suffered a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff and failed to restart during several attempts by the pilot, who then ejected, suffering only minor injuries.
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.