It is reported that a probably clumsy fault of a technician resulted in the explosion at Florennes air base (Belgium), resulting in a write-off of Belgium Air Force (BAF) F-16AM FA128.
In a nearby hangar, positioned at the extension of the flight line, a technician was working on an F-16. By accident, the six-barrels 20mm Vulcan M61A-1 canon of that F-16 was activated. Apparantly, the canon was loaded and some bullets hit the FA128. This aircraft was was just fueled and prepared together with another F-16 for an upcoming afternoon sortie. By the impact of the 20mm bullets, FA128 exploded instantly and damaged two other F-16s. Extremely lucky, nobody got killed, one technician incurred hearing impairment.
The Belgian Aviation Safety Directorate started an investigation. The Belgian Air Force has some 54 F-16s left now.
Unheimliches Glück gehabt. Nur ein Hörschaden und keine weiteren Verletzungen und wahrscheinlich ein paar neue Unterhosen.
Hat die F16 für die M61 auch nen Zündstecker wie die 104 und die Phantom?