A brand new U.S. Air Force AC-130J was declared total loss after an incident over the Gulf of Mexico on Arp. 21. The gunship was carrying out a medium risk flying qualities test sortie when it “over G’d,” reaching 3.194 Gs according to the report.
![140131-F-GF899-009[1]](http://alert5.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/140131-F-GF899-0091.jpg)
U.S. Air Force photo/Sara Vidoni
Graphic: AIB report
The 413 Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base took the plane out to sea to do some steady heading sideslips at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet. However, during the test, the AC-130J test pilot’s “excessive rudder input during the test point followed by inadequate rudder input to initiate a timely recovery” resulted in a departure from controlled flight. At one point, the aircraft was inverted as well. The crew was able to recover the plane after losing 5,000 ft of altitude. The aircraft returned to base and landed safely without further incident.
However, the mishap overstressed the airframe and Design Limit Load (DLL) were exceeded.
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