HEADQUARTERS AIR Education and Training Command has released its Accident Investigation Board (AIB) report into the loss of a USAF T-6A last May 1, about 21 miles (34km) northeast of Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas – see Attrition, July 2019, p107. The report, made public on December 17, cites pilot error as the cause of the mishap. It also reveals the identity of the Texan II as 07-3890 ‘EN’ from the 80th Flying Training Wing’s 89th Flying Training Squadron (FTS) at Sheppard.
The mishap crew included an instructor pilot from the 97th FTS in the rear seat, who was supervising an Italian Air Force pilot, from the 89th FTS, during training manoeuvres as part of a transition sortie in the Pilot Instructor Training Course. Following a weather diversion to Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW) the crew departed from there at 1237hrs local time via the Fort Worth Alliance Stereo Route to the Sheppard 2 Military Operating Area (MOA) to complete their training mission and then return to Sheppard. While setting up the transition sortie as part of the Pilot Instructor Training Course and en route to the MOA, the crew noticed building cumulus cloud formations, but assessed the conditions as still acceptable for tr…
