Here B-2 crashed because moisture confused sensors By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer Posted : Thursday Jun 5, 2008 17:41:22 EDT The most expensive crash in Air Force history — the $1.4 billion loss of a B-2 Spirit bomber Feb. 23 — was caused by water clogging aircraft sensors, according to an Air Combat Command report issued Thursday. Moisture in three of the 24 sensors that feed information into the bomber’s computer system caused the sensors to send bad information about the plane’s speed and altitude, and how far up or down the bomber’s nose was pointed. As the jet took off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the onboard computer thought the B-2 was pointed downward, causing the nose to jerk suddenly upward. The two pilots couldn’t regain control of the bomber and as the left wing struck the runway, the pilots safely ejected. The investigation didn’t fault the performance of pilots Maj. Ryan Link and Capt. Justin Grieve, both assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The report also cleared maintainers of any missteps. Maintainers were aware that high humidity on Guam could result in sensors clogging up with water but thought the sensor problems were solved prior to takeoff. Also, the pilots saw no avionics readings that would have led to aborting the takeoff. Another video
Too cool. Takes awhile to load, but then move your cursor and it's like flying over the mountains....all from the safety of the couch: Electric Oyster
When I completed Jump School in May '69, it meant an extra $55 a month, which was great $$$ back then :icon_eek: But really, freefall or skydiving is closest man comes to actually flying like a bird; for guys like me, that's the ultimate high!! :yes:
Nothing like the sight of Old Glory. That was a huge flag. I'm still not convinced about the skydiving. It might be the closest thing to flying, but if God wanted us to fly he would of gave us wings. :lol: Going to see the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform in Cheyenne tomorrow.
