B-2 crashed because moisture confused sensors

[unhappycamper]

The B-2 Spirit bomber, after it crashed Feb. 23 on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.


B-2 crashed because moisture confused sensors
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jun 5, 2008 17:41:22 EDT

The most expensive crash in Air Force history — the $1.4 billion loss of a B-2 Spirit bomber Feb. 23 — was caused by water clogging aircraft sensors, according to an Air Combat Command report issued Thursday.

Moisture in three of the 24 sensors that feed information into the bomber’s computer system caused the sensors to send bad information about the plane’s speed and altitude, and how far up or down the bomber’s nose was pointed.

As the jet took off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the onboard computer thought the B-2 was pointed downward, causing the nose to jerk suddenly upward.

The two pilots couldn’t regain control of the bomber and as the left wing struck the runway, the pilots safely ejected.

The investigation didn’t fault the performance of pilots Maj. Ryan Link and Capt. Justin Grieve, both assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The report also cleared maintainers of any missteps.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/06/airforce_b2_crashreport_060508w/

[hobbit709]

1. Isn't this supposed to be an ALL WEATHER aircraft?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. not anymore.

[geckosfeet]

3. My kingdom for a $100 moisture sensor,,,