A Rafale, the French fighter aircraft, disappeared at sea last weekend. The origin of this accident, a succession of errors.
Rafale aircraft, based on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle airport, crashed into the sea last Sunday, off Pakistan. According to information on Europe 1, a series of technical and human factors that would cause the crash. The pilot was unharmed but the body of the device lies between 2,500 and 3,000 meters at the bottom of the sea
The aircraft had taken off on a war mission, in support of ground troops deployed in Afghanistan. The pilot, a military veteran, would have seen less than ten minutes after taking off a warning light to indicate an abnormality of fuel, an incident that should never have led to the loss of the aircraft. But the pilot would have preferred a precautionary measure to end its mission and make a U-turn in the direction of Charles de Gaulle.
For some reason, the aircraft would not however been able to put down immediately. Since the procedure required before a landing, the pilot would be freed of much of its fuel, starting with additional content in the tanks, using a special button "dump". A quick drain caused by the opening of valves on the canisters, valves that are not designed to be closed after use. The fuel system of the aircraft becomes tight if we dropped the famous additional tanks, the pilot did not do.
But shortly after, malfunction or misinterpretation of data, the pilot would have finally realized that it was almost dry. As expected in this case, it would have received assistance from a "nanny", a Super Etendard used as in-flight refueling.
Rafale aircraft, based on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle airport, crashed into the sea last Sunday, off Pakistan. According to information on Europe 1, a series of technical and human factors that would cause the crash. The pilot was unharmed but the body of the device lies between 2,500 and 3,000 meters at the bottom of the sea
The aircraft had taken off on a war mission, in support of ground troops deployed in Afghanistan. The pilot, a military veteran, would have seen less than ten minutes after taking off a warning light to indicate an abnormality of fuel, an incident that should never have led to the loss of the aircraft. But the pilot would have preferred a precautionary measure to end its mission and make a U-turn in the direction of Charles de Gaulle.
For some reason, the aircraft would not however been able to put down immediately. Since the procedure required before a landing, the pilot would be freed of much of its fuel, starting with additional content in the tanks, using a special button "dump". A quick drain caused by the opening of valves on the canisters, valves that are not designed to be closed after use. The fuel system of the aircraft becomes tight if we dropped the famous additional tanks, the pilot did not do.
But shortly after, malfunction or misinterpretation of data, the pilot would have finally realized that it was almost dry. As expected in this case, it would have received assistance from a "nanny", a Super Etendard used as in-flight refueling.
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Except that additional fuel tanks were not dropped as is done in case of distress. So, by their valves remained open, while kerosene would immediately transferred out of the plane up.
Out of fuel and seeing its engines shut down, the pilot was left with no choice but to eject. It has been found safe and sound.
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of this accident which took place about ten miles from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. A team from the Accident Investigation Bureau is particularly air-defense come on site. Based on information from Europe, 1 (a french radio) the acoustic beacon Rafale was heard by one of two naval frigates Group.
This incident comes as France is still engaged in negotiations to sell abroad the Rafale, manufactured by Dassault Aviation. The new French Defence Minister, Alain Juppe, had hoped last week of "good news" from Brazil where a contract for 36 aircraft is still on the table.
For IEmanning, Lucas
