Stabilizer malfunction blamed in B-52 crash

[unhappycamper]

Deadly accident
6 were killed in July crash


Stabilizer malfunction blamed in B-52 crash
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 13, 2009 14:10:10 EST

Malfunctioning parts and late recognition of spiraling problems likely led to the fatal crash of a B-52H Stratofortress in July, an Air Force accident investigation board concluded in a report issued Feb. 13.

The July 21 crash off the coast of Guam killed all six airmen onboard.

The problem parts, investigators decided, were the bomber’s rear stabilizers — the large horizontal fins at the jet’s tail that help angle the B-52H up or down.

Although the inquiry could not determine what led to the stabilizer problem, the board said it believed the stabilizers malfunctioned while the bomber was in a fast descent from 14,000 feet to 1,000 feet.

“Even an experienced aircrew could have found it difficult to recognize, assess and recover from the very rapidly developing situation involving the rear stabilizer trim,” board president Brig. Gen. Mark Barrett concluded.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/02/airforce_b52_crashreport_021309/%2e