F-35 pilot without necessary qualifications flying Utah National Guard Apache
A FOX 13 News investigation into a Utah National Guard Apache attack helicopter crash earlier this year has revealed that the pilot, an F-35 pilot without the necessary qualifications, was at the controls during the incident.
The crash took place on Feb. 12 during an orientation flight to demonstrate the helicopter’s capabilities to the F-35 pilot who was a US Air Force Reserves colonel and sustained serious, although non-life-threatening injuries.
As reported by Alert 5, according to the investigation, the pilot’s lack of experience with helicopter flight controls contributed to the accident.
The chief warrant officer in the cockpit who suffered minor injuries was also cited for overconfidence and inadequate flight control management.
“The officer’s overconfidence … led to inadequate aircraft flight control management and inadequate altitude selection with an unqualified person on the helicopter’s flight controls,” the report pointed out.
Leadership failures within the Utah National Guard, including a lack of information dissemination were also noted by the report.
The reassessment of orientation flights in Apache units to prevent similar incidents in the future has also been recommended by the National Guard Bureau.
No comments were released by the Utah National Guard.
The AH-64 Apache involved in the accident of Feb. 12 crashed near Salt Lake City.
1st Attack/Reconnaissance Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment
The Apache attack helicopters of the Utah National Guard belong to the 1st Attack/Reconnaissance Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment nicknamed the “Air Pirates”.
The Federal Mission of the 1-211th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion is to destroy enemy armored, mechanized, and other massed forces through the use of aerial firepower, mobility and shock effect, and to perform aerial reconnaissance and screening operations in support of a Combat Aviation Brigade.
Instead, the State Mission of the unit is to establish an Air Operations Branch Cell and provide nationwide aviation, personnel and equipment to support the Joint Force Headquarters and civil authorities in support of emergency situations and homeland defense operations. Through the years the battalion has earned a reputation for excellence.
The Apache
The AH-64 is capable of destroying armor, personnel, and material targets in obscured battlefield conditions. The Apache is a twin-engine, four-blade tandem-seat attack helicopter equipped with an M230 30-mm cannon, Hydra-70 2.75-inch rockets, and Hellfire missiles (both laser-guided and radio frequency). The current Army Aviation fleet contains both AH-64D Longbow Apaches and AH-64E models. The Apache is fielded to both Active Army and Army National Guard armed reconnaissance battalions and cavalry units. The aircraft is designed to support Brigade Combat Teams across the full spectrum of warfare.
The Apache is provided to US allies through a robust Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. There are currently over 500 Apache in operation or in development across 16 partner nations.
The AH-64 provides security to ground forces, fixed-based operations, and aerial escorts; conducts reconnaissance to provide situational awareness for ground forces and higher headquarters; and decisively engages single or multiple enemy combatants to allow freedom of maneuver or protection.
Photo by Capt. Jesse Paulsboe / U.S. Army and Airman 1st Class Tiffany Price / U.S. Air Force
