The US Air Force Materiel Command has revealed it had to scrap its highly-modified Super Hercules after it received damage estimated at more than $115 million, as a result of a flight-test failure.
“While being operated at roughly 15,000ft, (over 4,500 meters) “the aircraft exceeded the targeted angle of sideslip until it departed controlled flight,” the report states.
It “momentarily inverted, before being recovered after losing approximately 5,000ft (over 1,500 m) of altitude.”
The aircraft’s crew fortunately escaped injury, returned to base and landed safely.
But the Ghostrider, having exceeded its operating g limits and design load, was a complete write-off.
The report also adds that additional attributing factors included spacial disorientation (vertigo), confusion, instrument and warning systems issues, and inadequate provision of procedural guidance or publications for the test team to follow.
The test-flight was operated by personnel from the 413th Flight Test Squadron based out of Eglin Air Force Base. The flight took place over the Gulf of Mexico on April 21, approximately 40 miles south of Pensacola.
The US Air Force Special Operations Command received its first AC-130J at Hurlburt Field AFB in Florida in July 2015, to support testing. Once in frontline use, the model will be equipped with weapons including a 30mm cannon, 105mm cannon and a variety of precision-guided air-to-surface munitions. The service plans to have an operational fleet of 32 by fiscal year 2021, with the initial capability slated for 2017.
