A8-139 [3,275.8 total flying hours]
Pilot: FLTLT Steven Erskine
Cat C – 523 hrs F-111
Navigator: CAPT Gregory Angell
Cat C – 1,177 hrs F-111 (USAF Exchange Officer, Weapons System Officer)
Fatal Accident – Night, Maritime Strike. During a night, simulated maritime strike attack, the aircraft crashed into the ocean approximately 52 nm east of Moruya, NSW. The crew were leading a fleet support mission of four F-111C aircraft. The mission simulated Harpoon anti-ship missile attacks by F-111s against three RAN ships operating in the Jervis Bay naval exercise area. The pilot, although relatively junior, was the squadron Maritime Strike Officer responsible for specialising in and developing maritime tactics. Approximately 1,800 lbs of wreckage (about 3% of the aircraft’s total weight) was recovered from the ocean surface, with indications that an ejection was not attempted. Both crew members died on impact.
Recovered wreckage of A8-139 laid out in a Hanger for Safety Investigators
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Board of Inquiry (BOI) findings: ” … the primary cause of the accident is unknown. For undetermined reasons F-111 A8-139 impacted the sea. The Board does not find that any person involved was guilty of negligence, made an error of judgement or contravened any order or instruction. ”
… more accident details in this extract from DDAAFS Safety Magazine “Sifting Through the Evidence” Accident Summary A8-129