Year: 2005
Airframe: FA-94
Unit: 31st sqn
Event: Tiger Meet Balikisir

F-16 drops fuel tanks into the Great Salt Lake

The incident occurred at 10.15h local time when the pilot noticed a fire sensor warning triggered in the jet. Following emergency procedures to lighten the jet the pilot ejected the tanks which came down three miles North of Antelope Island on Friday morning.

The pilot was able to land the F-16 safely around 10.20h and no injuries were reported.

Each tank is 18 foot long and can carry 370 gallons of fuel. Empty weight is 443 pounds. According to info to a press release the tanks were two thirds full at the time of the incident. Both were destroyed on impact.

"We are currently working with Davis County officials to determine the extent of any fuel that might be remaining at the location, whether any hazards exist, and the appropriate cleanup efforts," Col. Linda Medler, 75th Air Base Wing commander, said in a news release Friday.

"We plan to have the site cleaned up in the next day or two."

The 388th Fighter Wing personnel will conduct a safety investigation to determine the cause of the incident and will put together a plan to clean up the impact site. There were some concerns about the impact area and surrounding area, but based on information from officials there is no cause for concern.

Ron Taylor, Antelope Island State Park Manager was quoted to have said the tanks fell a few hundred yards North of Antelope Island Causeway.

Wing personnel from the 388th will conduct a safety investigation to determine the cause and will put a plan together to clean up the impact site.

First 148th FW pilot to reach 3000 Hrs

Lt. Col Reed Bowman presents a sign to his wingman, Lt. Col Brad Jackson, for surpassing 3000 Flight Hours in his F-16 on February 7, 2009 in Duluth, Mn at the 148th Fighter Wing. On February 7 2009, Lt. Col Jackson became the first pilot, from the 148th FW, to go over 3000 flight hours in an F-16

A accomplishment achieved by less than 200 F-16 pilots worldwide, according to www.f-16.net!

Upon landing he received a warm welcome from his friends and fellow airmen. Col. Frank Stokes, the Vice commander of the 148th FW, then awarded Lt. Col. Jackson with his distinctive 3000 Flight Hours patch and gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder to secure it on the pilots' flight suit. After a quick photo op on the blustery tarmac, everyone went inside to the Operations building for a small celebration.

Col. Stokes was very proud of his fellow pilot and noted that Lt. Col. Jackson's accomplishment also reflected the overall level of dedication and experience of our members of the 148th FW of the Minnesota Air National Guard. Lt. Col. Jackson first enlisted in the unit on July 18, 1981 and was commissioned on February 12, 1987.

F-16IN suffers tyre blow outs during Aero India

UAEAF F-16F block 60 #3009 is buzzing by the lens at Aero India. The aircraft is used by Lockheed as demonstration aircraft for the Indian F-16IN tender for 126 multi-role aircraft. Note the 'F-16IN' markings on the tail base.

"Both the left and right rear tyres burst one after the other due to heat and friction," F-16 test pilot Paul Randall told reporters after the incident at the airshow.

"An indication that the right tyre was going to burst before landing was shown on the flight control panel before the landing," Randell said.

Lockheed Martin which is aiming to sell 126 F-16INs to India reported that accident did not disrupt the proceedings on the final day of the show. "The tyres was changed within 30 minutes, which is a perfect example of this aircraft's maintainability," the company said.

The F-16IN, a UAEAF Block 60 marked up by the company as a demonstrator was the same jet in which Indian sportsman Abhinav Bindra had taken a backseat ride in a few days earlier.

FAV F-16A, #0051, waiting in the maintainance facility with new fresh paint