Technician Accidentally Sets off an F-16 Cannon, Blows Up Another F-16

© David Van Bouwel

On 11 October around 14:10 (UTC +2), a Belgian Air Force F16 caught fire during maintenance works at Florennes Air Base. The fire completely destroyed that aircraft. The Belgian Air Force said a second F-16 received collateral damage.

Burning F-16 as seen through a scope 

On 12 October, Aviation24.be received more information on the incident: a technician was working on an F-16 when he accidentally activated the six-barrels 20mm Vulcan M61A-1 cannon of that F-16. The cannon was loaded and some bullets hit another F-16AM (FA-128). That aircraft had just been refuelled and was – together with another F-16 – being prepared for a (training) mission. Due to the bullets, the F-16AM exploded and damaged the other F-16.

Two technicians were injured after the blast, the Belgian Aviation Safety Directorate opened an investigation into the accident. The Belgian Air Force had 60 active F-16 aircraft remaining, including 48 on duty for NATO. © Scramble.nl © Scramble.nl © Scramble.nl


NEWS @BelgiumDefence – Le 11 octobre 2018 vers 14 h10, un incendie s’est déclaré au cours de travaux de maintenance sur un F-16 sur la Base de Florennes. L’avion a brûlé. Un deuxième avion a subi des dommages collatéraux.

— Belgian Air Force🇧🇪 (@BeAirForce) October 11, 2018


NEWS @BelgiumDefence – Op 11 oktober 2018 omstreeks 14u10 vatte één F16 vuur tijdens onderhoudswerken. Het vliegtuig brandde daarbij uit. Een tweede vliegtuig liep hierbij collaterale schade op.

— Belgian Air Force🇧🇪 (@BeAirForce) October 11, 2018