Description

On 7 July 2015, a Lockheed-Martin F16CM (96-0085) being operated by the US Air Force on an instrument procedures training mission also intended to function as a post-maintenance airworthiness function flight from and returning to Shaw AFB and a privately operated Cessna 150M (N3601V) which had just departed Berkeley County Airport were involved in a mid-air collision in day VMC. The Cessna was disabled and crashed nearby killing both occupants and impact damage to the F16 prevented continued flight so its pilot ejected, sustaining minor injuries, and the aircraft crashed and was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The F16 pilot transmitted a MAYDAY after ejecting.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by both the NTSB and the USAF. The Investigations were based primarily on the recordings of ATC radar and ATC radio communications with the F16; the Cessna 150 was not in communication with any air traffic service and its pilot had not filed a Flight Plan. The Crash Survivable Memory Unit (CSMU) and the Seat Data Recorder (SDR) from the F16 were recovered and their data were used to confirm that there had been no relevant airworthiness issues with that aircraft. The weather conditions were benign with good in-flight visibility and were not a collision risk factor.