An Air Force accident investigation board has concluded that the pilot of a T-38C Talon that crashed in February inadvertently activated the front cockpit flap lever which fully extended the flaps while the trainer was traveling at 390 knots. An Air Force release stated that the aircraft pitched up and then nose down; the left flap rod broke, causing it to “raise to a streamline position with the right flap remaining extended.” That put the aircraft into an “unrecoverable condition.” The pilot, Maj. Michael Pelletier with the 435th Fighter Training Squadron at Randolph AFB, Tex., ejected safely.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3