LOSS OF ARTICLE 125 (OXCART AIRCRAFT)

Created: 1/25/1967

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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MEMORANDUM FOR: Acting Doputy Director for Science and Technology

ofOXCART Aircraft)

This memorandum Is for your information.

The Air Force Flight Safety Team has completed its Investigation of the accident involving. While no precise cause could be established for the loss, it was considered most probableuel gauging error lod to fuel starvation and engine flame-out sixty-seven miles from the base. The pilot ejected successfully but was unable to separato from the seat and was killed upon impact.

Personnel involved in the accident Investigation wero ablo to simulate the type of fuel gauging error to which the accident could be attributed. This type of error is induced when the shield of tho fuel tank probe in tank number three is grounded to aircraft structure. The nature of the orror is such that it varies into the amount of fuel in the tank. This is: the more fuel in tha tank, the greater the error. As fuel is used the total fuol Indication returns to noar normal and tho pilot is suddenly faced with an unexplained apparent loss of fuel. Gauging errors such as this are not readily apparent to the pilot.

SKDtTT

APPROVED TOP KELtOXCAKT

DATE: 7

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Failure of tho pilot to separate from the ejection seat was attributed to wedging oi tho parachute and scat kit atfuunbly in the seat upon actuutlon of Lhe seatmechanism and possible binding of the lap bolt roleaao assembly. The latter could not bc conclusively proven. Howover, wedging of tho parachute/kit assembly could be demonstrated with tho soat hoad rest installed.

Actions are currently underway to inspect all aircraft fuel gauging systems, improve calibrationandositive method of cross-checking fuol aboard versus indicated. All ejection seats areinspection and head rests aro being removed pending roduslgn. Upon completion of these actions it is planned to release tho aircraft for flight.

JOHN PARANGOSKY Acting Director of Special Activities

OXCAKT

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