On July 7, 2015, an
F-16 fighter jet operated by the
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Aerial warfare, air military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part ...
collided in-flight with a private
Cessna 150
The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane that was designed for flight training, touring and personal use.Plane and Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', pages 22-23. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977. In 19 ...
single-engine light aircraft over
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Moncks Corner is a town in and the county seat of Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,885 at the 2010 census. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Moncks Corner is included within the Charleston-North Charleston-S ...
, United States. Both occupants of the Cessna were killed; the pilot of the F-16 ejected safely.
The subsequent investigation found that the local
Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airs ...
unit had failed to ensure adequate separation between the two aircraft.
Collision
At about 11:00 AM on July 7, 2015, the F-16 and Cessna 150 collided over
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Moncks Corner is a town in and the county seat of Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,885 at the 2010 census. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Moncks Corner is included within the Charleston-North Charleston-S ...
, about north of
Charleston.
[ Witnesses state that the Cessna was climbing when the F-16 hit it broadside.] The Cessna (N3601V) was climbing out of the MKS airport under visual flight rules, not in communication with FAA Air Traffic Control. Death 41 (the F-16) was on an ATC assigned heading of 260 degrees and issued a descent to maintain 1600' for an ILS approach to Runway15 at KCHS.
At 1100:16, the CHS ATC approach controller issued a traffic advisory advising the F-16 pilot of "traffic 12 o'clock, 2 miles, opposite direction, 1,200 t altitudeindicated, type unknown." At 1100:24, the F-16 pilot responded that he was "looking" for the traffic. At 1100:26, the controller advised the F-16 pilot, "turn left heading 180 if you don't have that traffic in sight." At 1100:30, the pilot asked, "confirm 2 miles?" At 1100:33, the controller stated, "if you don't have that traffic in sight turn left heading 180 immediately." As the controller was stating the instruction and over the next 18 seconds, the radar-derived ground track of the F-16 began turning southerly toward the designated heading.
At 1100:49, the radar target of the F-16 was 1/2 nm northeast of the Cessna, at an altitude of 1,500 ft, and was on an approximate track of 215°. At that time, the Cessna reported an altitude of 1,400 ft and was established on an approximate ground track of 110°. The two aircraft collided at an approximate altitude of 1450 ft.
The F-16 flew for a further three minutes before the pilot transmitted a mayday call. He then ejected safely.[ Both aircraft crashed in ]Lewisfield Plantation
Lewisfield Plantation is a historic plantation house located near Moncks Corner, Berkeley County, South Carolina. It was built about 1774, and is a 2 1/2-half story clapboard dwelling. It is supported by a high brick foundation that encloses a ra ...
.[ Both occupants of the Cessna 150 were killed.] The pilot of the F-16 was on an instrument training mission. Its destination was Joint Base Charleston
Joint Base Charleston is a United States military facility located partly in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina and partly in the City of Goose Creek, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Forc ...
.[ The Cessna was reported to be on a flight from Berkeley County Airport to Myrtle Beach.][
]
Aircraft
Of the two aircraft involved, the first one was a General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful ...
, serial number 96-0085. It was based at Shaw Air Force Base
Shaw Air Force Base (Shaw AFB) is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located approximately west-northwest of downtown Sumter, South Carolina. It is one of the largest military bases operated by the United States, and is under the jurisdict ...
, South Carolina, and was operated by the 20th Fighter Wing
The 20th Fighter Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina. The wing is assigned to Air Combat Command's Fifteenth Air Force.
The wing's mission is to provide, project, and sustain c ...
of the United States Air Force. The second one was a privately-owned Cessna 150M light aircraft, registration
Register or registration may refer to:
Arts entertainment, and media Music
* Register (music), the relative "height" or range of a note, melody, part, instrument, etc.
* ''Register'', a 2017 album by Travis Miller
* Registration (organ), th ...
N3601V.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board conducted the investigation into the accident. The cause of the collision was found to be Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airs ...
errors in failing to provide an appropriate conflict resolution between the two aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic ...
also opened an investigation.[
]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moncks Corner mid-air collision, 2015
Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 2015
Aviation accidents and incidents in South Carolina
Mid-air collisions
Mid-air collisions involving general aviation aircraft
Mid-air collisions involving military aircraft
Accidents and incidents involving United States Air Force aircraft
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
2015 in South Carolina
July 2015 events in the United States
Berkeley County, South Carolina