safety malfunction results in catastrophic ejection accident, claiming life of T-6 air force pilot due to unsecured fastener and harness components
Tragic Incident: Captain John Robertson's Fatal Accident
Last spring, Captain John Robertson, an instructor pilot from the 80th Operations Support Squadron, tragically lost his life due to an unfortunate incident involving his T-6 ejection seat at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
The Air Force Accident Investigation Board concluded this in their report issued on June 23, regarding the mishap that occurred more than a year ago on May 13, 2024. The incident took place during a training flight for Robertson and an international student pilot, a member of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program.
Following an uneventful flight, upon landing, both pilots went through the standard checklist to ensure the safety of their ejection seats and confirm each seat functioned independently. According to physical evidence recovered from the scene, it was discovered that Robertson had only partially inserted his safety pin, failing to push it all the way through.
The report states that the elongation of the seat safety pin hole on both the leading surface of the housing and the front edge of the ejection handle indicated that the seat safety pin was at least partially installed during the ejection sequence. However, it likely popped out and struck an airspeed indicator in the cockpit during the ejection sequence.
Investigators found that several pilots, including Robertson, had been observed failing to fully insert their pins after flights. After the incident, taxiing was continued by the student pilot while Robertson started unbuckling from his seat. He disconnected from five of 11 connection points to the ejection seat, including straps connecting him to the parachute, when the handle was inadvertently pulled.
Investigators noted that instructors often started to unbuckle while taxiing, but there was no specific information in various training documents and checklists about when T-6 instructors should disconnect. Using simulators, investigators determined that Robertson likely pulled the handle accidentally while leaning forward to unbuckle a strap on his left leg, and one of the previously disconnected straps became entangled with the handle.
When the ejection system was activated, Robertson and his seat were shot into the air without the parachute deploying due to his disconnection. He fell approximately 100 feet through an aircraft shelter and was transported to a local hospital, where he unfortunately passed away in the early hours of May 14.
The Accident Investigation Board report highlighted that Robertson was respected by his peers and had been recognized as the Instructor Pilot of the Year for 2023. His colleagues described him as a caring instructor who went above and beyond to help students understand difficult concepts, often striking up conversations and offering extra help.
The incident marked the first fatal T-6 accident for the Air Force since fiscal 2004, emphasizing the importance of following standard safety practices and procedures to prevent accidents in the aviation community.
Additional Insights:- The T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft is equipped with multiple safety measures and training protocols to minimize the risk of accidental ejection seats activations while on the ground or during non-emergency situations.- Proper handling, including the insertion and removal of safety pins, and careful unbuckling procedures are emphasized in training to reduce the chances of accidental ejection seat activations.- Emergency protocols, regular maintenance inspections, and vigilant awareness of ejection seat operation are essential components in avoiding unintended handle pulls.
- The tragic incident involving Captain John Robertson, an instructor pilot from the 80th Operations Support Squadron, was caused by a malfunction of his T-6 ejection seat's safety pin.
- The Air Force Accident Investigation Board found that several pilots, including Robertson, had been observed failing to fully insert their safety pins after flights, highlighting a need for better adherence to safety procedures in the aviation industry.
- The general-news Report states that the proper handling and removal of safety pins, and careful unbuckling procedures, are emphasized in training to minimize the chances of accidental ejection seat activations.
- The T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft, used by Robertson, is equipped with multiple safety measures and training protocols to avoid accidental ejection seat activations.
- The aviation industry and Air Force, in response to the incident, are urged to reinforce the importance of emergency protocols, regular maintenance inspections, and vigilant awareness of ejection seat operation to prevent future accidents.
