Unqualified F-35 Pilot At the Controls During Utah
National Guard Apache Crash, Investigation Reveals
September 2, 2024 Aviation Safety, Helicopters
The Utah National Guard AH-64D (screenshot from the FOX 13 video)
An F-35 pilot with only 35 minutes of experience
in an Apache simulator was flying the Utah National Guard Apache that crashed
earlier this year.
On Feb. 12, 2024, a Utah National Guard AH-64D Apache helicopter
crashed during an “orientation flight”. The helicopter was piloted by a colonel
in the Air Force Reserve who was not qualified to fly the aircraft. The
colonel, an F-35 fighter jet pilot, had only 35 minutes of experience in an
Apache simulator before taking control of the real helicopter for a 90-minute
flight. According to an investigative report obtained by FOX 13 News, the crash
occurred when the colonel, unfamiliar with helicopter controls, attempted to
hover and land the Apache at West Jordan airport.
Investigators revealed that during the return to the airport, the
colonel struggled to manage the helicopter, necessitating intervention by the
accompanying chief warrant officer on three separate occasions. On the fourth
attempt, the colonel panicked and reverted to his fixed-wing training, applying
downward pressure inappropriate for a rotor-wing aircraft. The Apache rotated
and dropped approximately ten feet to the ground before the chief warrant
officer could regain control.
The chief warrant officer sustained minor injuries, while the colonel
suffered more serious but non-life-threatening injuries that required surgical
intervention and rehabilitation.
Fault Found in Leadership and Flight Management
The investigation highlighted not only the colonel’s lack of
qualifications but also the chief warrant officer’s overconfidence and
inadequate flight control management, which contributed to the crash.
Furthermore, the report criticized the Utah National Guard’s chain of command
for failing to adequately enforce standard operating procedures, citing similar
leadership failures in a 2022 incident involving two Utah National Guard
helicopters that crashed at Snowbird Resort.
The investigation’s findings underscore broader implications for
military aviation protocols. Investigators recommended that the National Guard
Bureau, an office within the Pentagon, reassess the use of orientation flights
in Apache units across the nation to prevent future incidents involving
unqualified personnel at the controls.
Implications and Response
Orientation flights are routine within military aviation and are
typically used to familiarize personnel with different types of aircraft.
However, the report suggests a need for stricter adherence to qualification
standards to avoid putting unqualified individuals in control of complex and
highly technical machinery like the Apache helicopter. The incident has raised
questions about the adequacy of current safety measures and leadership
oversight within the Utah National Guard.
As of now, the Utah National Guard has not responded to requests for
comment regarding the findings of the investigation. The report’s
recommendations may prompt changes not only within the Utah National Guard but
also across other National Guard units nationwide, highlighting the critical
need for strict enforcement of qualification standards in military aviation.
The crash and its subsequent investigation serve as a stark reminder of
the importance of proper training and adherence to established procedures in
maintaining the safety and integrity of military operations.
Flying the F-35 is probably much simpler
As often explained here at The Aviationist, the F-35 is a 5th
generation stealth jet: one of the most complex aircraft ever built but also
one of the easiest to fly. In fact, compared to previous generation aircraft,
the effort a pilot puts in flying an F-35 is much less than in older aircraft
due to its advanced fly-by-wire system, integrated sensors, and highly
automated systems. These features significantly reduce the pilot’s workload,
allowing them to focus more on mission management rather than basic flight
control tasks. The pilot’s effort in a 5th generation aircraft is more on
managing the onboard sensors than handling or landing the jet.
This stands in stark contrast to flying a combat helicopter like the
AH-64D Apache, which requires continuous manual control inputs to manage the
rotor system, maintain stability, and handle complex maneuvers at low
altitudes. Helicopters demand constant attention to multiple axes of movement,
making them inherently more challenging to pilot compared to the highly
automated and stability-focused design of modern jets like the F-35.
1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 211th
Aviation Regiment, Utah Army National
The AH-64D Apache helicopters of the Utah National Guard are operated
by the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, based out
of West Jordan, Utah, that has performed the Attack and Scout mission for over
40 years and during three recent deployments: Operation Desert Spring (2001-02)
in Kuwait, and OEF V (2004-05) and OEF XII (2012-13) in Afghanistan.
The AH-64D Apache Longbow is a twin-engine attack helicopter renowned
for its advanced combat capabilities and versatility on the battlefield. It is
equipped with a powerful 30mm M230 chain gun, Hellfire missiles, and Hydra 70 rocket
pods, allowing it to engage armored vehicles, troops, and other ground targets
effectively. The AH-64D features an advanced Longbow radar system, providing
target acquisition and tracking even in adverse weather and low-visibility
conditions. Its enhanced avionics, night vision systems, and survivability
features make it a critical asset for reconnaissance, close air support, and
anti-armor missions.
According to the U.S. Army website, the 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation
Regiment, known as the 1-211th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB), plays a
crucial role in the Utah National Guard. Its mission is to destroy enemy
armored and mechanized forces using aerial firepower, mobility, and shock
effect, as well as to conduct aerial reconnaissance and screening operations in
support of a Combat Aviation Brigade. The battalion, led by Major Jon
Richardson and Command Sergeant Major Shawn Earl, is also prepared to support
nationwide aviation operations, emergency situations, and homeland defense
missions.
The battalion’s recent training highlights include field exercises,
live-fire aerial gunnery, and support for special operations forces. It has
participated in high-level training such as the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and two
rotations at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, showcasing
its capability to provide effective air support and rapid deployment in both
combat and domestic missions.
The 1-211th ARB is structured into several companies, including
Headquarters Company and A through E Companies, each contributing to the unit’s
overall mission readiness and operational excellence.
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar
Merk: Bare medlemmer av denne bloggen kan legge inn en kommentar.