F-16C (2x) Mishap, Louisville, GA F-16C, T/N 93-0531 and F-16C, T/N 92-3899 LOUISVILLE, GA 7 JUNE 2016 On 7 June 2016, at approximately 2114 local, two F-16C Block 52 aircraft collided head-on during a training mission in the Bulldog Military Operating Area near Louisville, Georgia (GA). Following the collision, both pilots ejected safely, suffering minor injuries. Mishap Pilot 1 (MP1) is assigned to the 316th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Joint National Guard Base (JNGB), South Carolina (SC). Mishap Pilot 2 (MP2) is assigned to the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, SC. Mishap Aircraft 1 (MALI, tail number 92- 3899) and Mishap Aircraft 2 (MA2, tail number 93-0531) are assigned to the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, SC. Both aircraft were destroyed after impacting the ground in a rural area of approximately four square miles, with damage to private property (timber). The total aircraft loss is approximately $60,798,131.00. MP1, a recently assigned, active duty, experienced F-16C instructor pilot, was the flight leader undergoing an additional 169th Fighter Wing instructor pilot qualification program. MP2, also an experienced F-16C instructor pilot, was responsible for administering the upgrade while flying in a visual (wedge) formation several miles behind MA1. The mishap occurred 10 minutes after civil twilight, in the latter phase of a training mission. After MP2 issued a low fuel (Bingo) call, MP1 executed a sharp left turn at an altitude of 15,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) (MP1’s assigned sanctuary altitude). ). “Bingo” is a pre-briefed fuel state that, when reached, requires termination of tactical maneuvering and return to base with normal recovery fuel. MP2, approximately 4 nautical miles (nm) behind at 16,000 MSL (MP2’s sanctuary altitude) turned to follow MA1’s external lights visually, but did not cross-check available sensors to confirm MA1’s position. MP2 did not realize MA1 had executed a complete turn and was headed towards him. MP2 pointed directly at MA1’s external lights in an attempt to acquire a visual mode radar lock on MAI. During this time, the distance between aircraft decreased rapidly and MP2 descended from his sanctuary altitude of 16,000 MSL without the requisite situational awareness. MP2 acquired radar lock at 2,500 feet separation but failed to recognize the conflict. At the last moment, both aircraft initiated a left bank away from the other, but their high right wings impacted. Neither MP1 nor MP2 were able to regain control of their aircraft, with both pilots ejecting shortly after impact. The Accident Investigation Board (AIB) President found by a preponderance of the evidence that the cause of the mishap was MP2’s failure to fulfill his primary responsibility to ensure flight path deconfliction and separation of aircraft. Additionally, the AIB President found by a preponderance of the evidence that there were two substantially contributing factors to the mishap: (1) MP1 did not terminate tactical maneuvering following MP2’s “Bingo” fuel call and (2) MP1 and MP2 overly relied on visual cues from external aircraft lighting to judge critical flight parameters.