- BuNo: 160148
- Location: NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, FL
- Date: Wed 21-Sep-2005
- Cause: Weather
- Findings: Crashed to Post Functional Check Flight (FCF)
On approach to NAS Jacksonville, the area was being buffeted by heavy rains from the outer bands of Hurricane Rita.
Crew of 2 killed.
Neither the Pilot nor COTAC ejected nor initiated ejection.
They were caught in specifically a 'microburst' which gave them zero reaction time considering they were on approach to the runway.
No Pilot Error. No Mechanical Failure Existed.
Unknown contexts of radio transmissions with tower and S-3.
Zero visibility (rain). (Did tower actually think the S-3 landed when radio contact was lost?)
Was tower/airport weather equipment operable and information communicated to the S-3?
A 'microburst' is a small column of exceptionally intense and localized sinking air that results in a violent outrush of air at the ground. It is capable of producing damaging straight-line winds of more than 100 mph that are similar to that in some tornadoes, but without the tornado's rotation. The size of a microburst is typically less than 3 miles across, and its lifespan could range from a couple of seconds to several minutes.
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