One F-16 fighter-bomber was completely destroyed Thursday afternoon by an explosion while undergoing maintenance on the ground at the Florennes base in Belgium, Sudinfo reported, citing military sources.
Two technicians were injured as a result of the explosion at the Florennes air base in Belgium and were treated on the spot, Sudinfo reported. They suffered hearing problems, not burns.
A fire broke out at around 14:10 local time [12:00 GMT], the military’s press service said in a statement. A second aircraft suffered “collateral damage,” military sources added, without specifying the extent of the damage.
The Aviation Safety Directorate has launched an investigation into the explosion.
Florennes air base – update
It is reported that a probable clumsy fault of a technician resulted in the explosion at Florennes air base (Belgium), resulting in a write-off of Belgium Air Force (BAF) F-16AM FA128.
In a nearby hangar, positioned at the extension of the flight line, a technician was working on an F-16. It is said that by accident the six-barrel 20mm Vulcan M61A-1 cannon of that F-16 was activated. Apparently, the cannon was loaded and some ammunition hit the FA128. This aircraft had just been refuelled and prepared together with another F-16 for an upcoming afternoon sortie. After impact of the 20mm bullets, FA128 exploded instantly and damaged two other F-16s. Thankfully nobody got killed, only one technician incurred hearing impairment.
The Belgian Aviation Safety Directorate started an investigation. The Belgian Air Force has some 54 F-16s left now.
Brand in Florennes ! pic.twitter.com/Uwu9gS04r3
— Tony Delvita (@ebcrew00) October 11, 2018
Photo Rob Vogelaar
