Navy Releases BDU-48 Preliminary Findings
During a routine training mission at the Dare County, North Carolina bombing range two F/A-18C "Hornet" aircraft assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 106, based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, were engaged in routine air-to-ground bombing training using BDU-48 inert training bombs. The flight consisted of a lead aircraft and a wingman. Each aircraft carried 12 BDU-48s.
While engaged i/n a training bombing run the wingman released what was believed to have been eight BDU-48s on a designated target. The range spotter reported eight impacts on the target's location to the pilot. There was no indication in the aircraft cockpit that one of the eight practice bombs had failed to release. The pilot believed four inert training bombs remained on the aircraft, when there were actually five.
By Strike Fighter Wing Standard Operating Procedures, pilots perform a visual inspection of accompanying aircraft prior to landing. During this mission, the lead aircraft developed an engine malfunction and was required to terminate the training.
Procedures required the aircraft to return to NAS Oceana due to the malfunction. Due to the nature of the malfunction and the calls that accounted for the eight drops, the lead aircraft did not visually inspect the wingman's aircraft as they returned to NAS Oceana. After lowering the landing gear while on final approach to NAS Oceana, the hung BDU-48 fell from the wingman's aircraft.
Both pilots are experienced aviators with numerous flight hours in the F/A-18. The lead pilot is an instructor and the wingman is an instructor under training. Their names are not being released.
Use of the BDU-48 inert training bomb remains suspended at NAS Oceana until the Navy's Engineering Investigation into the incident is complete. The investigation is expected to be complete by mid-December. Additionally, the Strike Fighter Wing Standard Operating Procedures are being reviewed to address unique situations such as this.
Story source- Navy.mil website
