B-2 Crash!

[Glider]

Back to the subject, I understand that the B2 crashed due to condensation on some of the sensors. This led to the computer giving instructions based on false readings resulting in the accident.

This risk had been identified but the information had not been passed to all the support crews as a formal notification or even informal warning.

Result, the loss of an almost priceless asset at heaven only knows what cost because a paper wasn't processed correctly.

The Crew and Support team of the aircraft have been exonerated of any blame.

 

[davparlr]

This gives an answer to my first question of why the Pitot/static sensors heat did not boil off any water (they are very hot). It seems this is an example of nobody sitting down as doing a step-by-step hazard analysis possibilities of aircraft operation, particularly ground operations.

Not many fly-by-wire aircraft today allow pilots to override the computers. Many military aircraft today are basically unstable, including fighters and B-2, and require computers to fly the aircraft.


B-2 accident report released

6/6/2008 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Distorted data introduced by a B-2 Spirit's air data system skewed information entering the bomber's flight control computers ultimately causing the crash of the aircraft on takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 23, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation report released June 5.

Moisture in the aircraft's Port Transducer Units during air data calibration distorted the information in the bomber's air data system, causing the flight control computers to calculate an inaccurate airspeed and a negative angle of attack upon takeoff. According to the report, this caused an, "uncommanded 30 degree nose-high pitch-up on takeoff, causing the aircraft to stall and its subsequent crash."

Moisture in the PTUs, inaccurate airspeed, a negative AOA calculation and low altitude/low airspeed are substantially contributing factors in this mishap. Another substantially contributing factor was the ineffective communication of critical information regarding a suggested technique of turning on pitot heat in order to remove moisture from the PTUs prior to performing an air data calibration.

The pilot received minor injuries, and the co-pilot received a spinal compression fracture during ejection. He was treated at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, and released. The aircraft was assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

The cost of the lost aircraft is about $1.4 billion.