Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Back in the Fight: USAF F-16Ds Return to Service

January 2, 2015 USAF F-16Ds Return to Service
Jason Hyatt No Comments Air Force

Back in August, over half of the Lockheed-Martin F-16Ds in the USAF inventory were removed from flight after cracks were identified along the canopy sill longeron. This particular longeron in located between the front and back seat of the Viper. Longeron fatigue cracks are always a concern because of their relationship to the structural integrity of an aircraft.

Aging fleets coupled with consistent air combat operations in multiple countries over the last 25 years has meant an increased focus on extending airframe hours. Probably the most recent notable incident involving longeron cracks was when the cockpit section of a Missouri ANG F-15C separated in flight back in 2007.

In this instance, one longeron with fatigue cracks resulted in multiple failures in the same area and caused a complete structural failure just aft of the cockpit. The aircraft literally broke into two pieces mid-flight and miraculously, the pilot, Major Stephen Stilwell, ejected from the stricken aircraft, but suffered serious injuries and disfigurement as a result of the incident, cutting short his flying career.

No GIB on this 309th Fighter Squadron sortie.

No GIB on this 309th Fighter Squadron sortie.

The USAF and Lockheed-Martin identified a long-term fix near the beginning of September. The solution involved installing a strap over the cracked longeron to give it structural stability and increased strength to withstand the wicked G-loads the Viper is capable of.

A temporary fix was identified sooner, one that could have gotten the Vipers back in the air, but the nature of these cracks was deemed too high-risk. With engineers cognizant of the F-15 incident and unwilling to further risk the lives of airmen all over the world flying the F-16, the temporary solution was ultimately canned.

A 310th Fighter Squadron D-Model is beating up the pattern at Luke AFB.

A 310th Fighter Squadron D-Model is beating up the pattern at Luke AFB.

More than one-third of the aircraft identified as having cracks belong to the 56th Fighter Wing based at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. The importance of having these aircraft in the fight is significant due to Luke being the only home for active duty F-16 pilot training in the Air Force.

Back in November, the first of 32 Luke F-16D’s was returned to full flying duties. Maintainers from Luke and depot field teams from Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah have been working 12-hour days, six days per week, to get Luke’s shaggin’ wagons back in the air. As a direct result of their hard work and dedication, the last two aircraft are expected to be ready for flight at the beginning of January.

About the Author

Jason Hyatt is an aerospace industry professional with over 10 years of experience in the military and commercial aviation sectors. Born and raised in the Southwest United States, an area blessed with over 300 days of sunshine per year, he is fortunate to have been in and around aviation his entire life. After a brief stint as a semi-professional soccer player in the early 2000's, he realized his desire to live and work in aviation. While working for Boeing IDS (now BDS) in 2005, he first picked up a camera and started experimenting with aviation photography and photojournalism. As a freelance aviation photojournalist, he has been able to stay close to military aviation, his primary area of interest.

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

© Copyright 2025 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...