Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: James T. Crouse
Profession: Aviation Accident Attorney

Category: Aviation News

On November 2, 2007, a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C split behind the cockpit and broke apart during a combat training maneuver. The pilot survived the incident. A fatigue crack in the longeron - part of the structure running from front to rear of the fuselage has been cited as the cause of the structural failure - Air have no idea how long it was there. According to Air Force Col. William Wignall, accident investigation board president, the upper right side longeron was poorly manufactured by McDonnell Douglas in the 1970s - McDonnell Douglas was later acquired by Boeing which continues to sell and to support the aircraft.

In January the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command cleared most of the F-15s (A-D models) to return to flying status. The order applies only to the aircraft that have cleared all inspections and have met longeron manufacturing specifications. With about 90 per cent of the inspections completed, nine other aircraft have been found to have longeron fatigue cracks and about 40 per cent of the aircraft have been found to have at least one longeron that does not meet specifications.

The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather tactical fighter that is extremely maneuverable and designed to have air superiority in aerial combat. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight current enemy aircraft as well as projected future enemy aircraft. Having made it's first flight in 1972, it has evolved to become one of the most successful aircraft development programs in Air Force history.