A T-6A Texan II trainer aircraft’s propeller not feathering in a timely manner is the primary cause of this aircraft’s forced landing during a training flight June 4 at Vance AFB, Okla., Air Force investigators have determined. Shortly after takeoff, the T-6, assigned to Vance’s 71st Flying Training Wing, experienced an uncommanded power change which led the student pilot and instructor to return to base for a precautionary emergency landing, according to the recently issued executive summary of findings from the accident investigation board. But upon approach, the propeller did not move into the commanded streamlined feathered position. This led to greater drag on the aircraft and an increased aircraft descent rate that caused the T-6 to touch down hard short of the runway. Neither pilot was injured, but the incident caused about $831,631.00 worth of damage to the aircraft’s left wing, landing gear and propeller, according to the AIB.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.