Pilot error caused U.S. Air Force C-17 crash in Alaska, investigators say

Pilot error caused U.S. Air Force C-17 crash in Alaska, investigators say

2010-12-11 11:11:42 GMT+7 (ICT)

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII (BNO NEWS) -- A pilot error caused the U.S. Air Force C-17 crash at Elmendorf Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 28, 2010, which resulted in the deaths of the four crewmembers aboard, the U.S. Air Force said on Friday.

The crash of the C-17 Globemaster III, which resulted also in the destruction of the $184 million aircraft, and damage to part of the Alaska Railroad, was caused by pilot error, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces said in a statement, as "the pilot placed the aircraft outside established flight parameters and capabilities."

"During the mishap sortie, the pilot aggressively flew the aircraft in a manner inconsistent with established flight procedures, resulting in a stall. The pilot failed to take required stall recovery actions," the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces said.

"Furthermore, the board concluded the co-pilot and safety observer failed to recognize or address the developing dangerous situation. As a result, the C-17 stalled at an attitude and altitude from which recovery to controlled flight was impossible."

The mishap occurred as the C-17 practiced for the Arctic Thunder Air Show scheduled for the weekend of July 31 at Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson.

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