Air Force cannot afford another crash, grounds aircraft during operational safety review

WASHINGTON. Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein directed all Air Force wings with flying and maintenance functions to execute a one-day operational safety review by 21 May 2018. “I am directing this operational safety review to allow our commanders to assess and discuss the safety of our operations and to gather feedback from our Airmen who are doing the mission every day,” Goldfein explains.

Air Force officials are taking swift action to ensure the safety of its force after a series of recent aviation mishaps and fatalities, including the crash that claimed the lives of nine airmen on 2 May 2018 of a WC-130 Hercules military aircraft. The aging WC-130 high-wing, medium-range aircraft built by Lockheed Martin had undergone days of maintenance before it took a nosedive onto the highway while being flown from Savannah, Georgia, to Tucson, Arizona, to be decommissioned.

The Air Force's manned aviation mishap rate has increased since the beginning of fiscal year 2018. Yet, safety statistics over the past decade show Air Force Class A and B aviation mishaps trended downward, officials say.

“So far, 12 fatal accidents — 11 crashes and one ground incident — in fiscal year 2018, which began Oct. 1, have claimed the lives of 35 military pilots and crew,” Military Times reports.

“We cannot afford to lose a single Airman or weapons system due to a mishap that could have been prevented,” Goldfein says. “Our men and women have volunteered to give their last full measure for America's security. My intent is to have commanders lead focused forums with their Airmen to help identify gaps and seams that exist or are developing, which could lead to future mishaps or unsafe conditions.”

During the safety review, commander-led forums will gather feedback from Airmen who execute the Air Force's flying operations and challenge Airmen to identify issues that may cause a future mishap.

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