USAF Global Express down in Afghanistan

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Chris M
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USAF Global Express down in Afghanistan

Post by Chris M »

https://www.businessinsider.com/afghani ... ing-2020-1

Taliban is claiming to have shot it down with no survivors.
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PostmasterGeneral
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Re: USAF Global Express down in Afghanistan

Post by PostmasterGeneral »

We really oughtta just nuke that whole corner of the globe.. oh wait, there’s oil there. Nevermind.
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lownslow
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Re: USAF Global Express down in Afghanistan

Post by lownslow »

PostmasterGeneral wrote: Mon Jan 27, 2020 8:35 am We really oughtta just nuke that whole corner of the globe.. oh wait, there’s oil there. Nevermind.
Would it be cheaper/easier to drill a well if you were starting from the bottom of a crater?
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pelmet
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Re: USAF Global Express down in Afghanistan

Post by pelmet »

Accident report is out.

The captain was a training captain while the copilot was very new.

The left engine had an engine failure due to a separated fan blade leading to significant vibration due to imbalance. It was enough vibration for the impact switch of the CVR to be activated leading to its loss of recording soon after the engine failure.

They apparently misidentified the engine as the right one was shut down. Once the right engine was shut down, they would have had a long list of messages indicating all the malfunctions associated with dual engine out. The APU had been started indicating that they likely tried an engine restart, yet it was never successful.

Unfortunately, even though they were well within gliding distance of several airfields, they chose to try to get back to home base which was well beyond their gliding capability. Perhaps their situational awareness was poor although one would think that a Global Express would have a good map display for airports.

https://www.afjag.af.mil/Portals/77/AIB ... rative.pdf

I would suspect that may have been difficult to read the engine indications or the L FADEC FAIL message. It would make sense to be extremely cautious concerning the engine shutdown in such a situation, one where probably no one is trained for. In addition, when both engines are out, head toward the a reasonable airport well within gliding distance, just in case that second engine doesn't start again. Once it is started and known to be reliable, then consider returning to base.
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