This computer simulation is quite amazing, as it demonstrates a flaw that has been found in US F-15 Eagle fighters. The simulation is of the accident that broke apart the F-15 at 18,000 feet, when the forward fuselage longeron failed. Fortunately the pilot survived as his air craft came apart, and Maj. Stephen Stilwell only sustained a dislocated shoulder and his left arm was shattered.
The video above was provided by Boeing Phantom Works and said "structural failure of a US Air National Guard F-15C, caused by fatigue cracking of a forward fuselage longeron, slowed down to one-fifth the actual speed of the event!" This sounds like a simple explanation, unless you’re the pilot that has to change his pants after that encounter. The accident has grounded almost one third of the F-15 Eagles fleet.
[Defense Tech and Gizmodo]
