Accidental Discharge...

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Anyone know if F16’s have a WoW (Weight on Wheels) circuit that should prevent the gun from firing while the aircraft is sitting on the deck?
 
On Apr. 17, 2020 a rocket accidentally fired by a Chadian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot parked at Base Aérienne Kossei NDjamena, Chad, struck an empty tanker truck, missed a French Air Force C-130H from the Escadron de transport (Transport Squadron) 2/61 Franche Comté, and landed in the house of Deputy Commander of the Presidential Guard, General Mahamata Salaha Brahima, killing two children and two adults, and wounding two others.

https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=uOQ3M_1587249769
 
Normally with aircraft there is a sensor called a weight on wheels switch. This tells the computer that the aircraft is on the ground. The computer (or a system of relays for older air frames) will prevent any system that was designated by the owner, or required by regulations, from activating while in the ground. Also as a secondary preventative measure certain mechanical systems are also pinned in place after landing to help prevent ground actuation. However if it happened during maintenance it is very likely these systems were disabled to perform system maintenance on the cannon.


The article quoted implies that there is a sensor in the F16 to detect when the undercarriage is lowered, which functions as a a gun safety switch, but there is presumably provision for overriding this in order to perform gun testing. A variety of technical and procedural measures are designed to ensure safety with aircraft gun armament, the details varying with the specific type of weapon. The M61 20mm cannon will not function without electrical power, it is electrically rotated (when internally mounted) and fires electrically primed ammunition, so switching off the power should prevent accidental firing with this gun. Other types of cannon with reciprocating mechanisms, such as the 30mm DEFA 550 series have to be cocked or armed before they will fire, a common procedure is to prohibit pilots from doing this until the aircraft is airborne.
 
Elk34 said:
Normally with aircraft there is a sensor called a weight on wheels switch. This tells the computer that the aircraft is on the ground. The computer (or a system of relays for older air frames) will prevent any system that was designated by the owner, or required by regulations, from activating while in the ground. Also as a secondary preventative measure certain mechanical systems are also pinned in place after landing to help prevent ground actuation. However if it happened during maintenance it is very likely these systems were disabled to perform system maintenance on the cannon.


The article quoted implies that there is a sensor in the F16 to detect when the undercarriage is lowered, which functions as a a gun safety switch, but there is presumably provision for overriding this in order to perform gun testing. A variety of technical and procedural measures are designed to ensure safety with aircraft gun armament, the details varying with the specific type of weapon. The M61 20mm cannon will not function without electrical power, it is electrically rotated (when internally mounted) and fires electrically primed ammunition, so switching off the power should prevent accidental firing with this gun. Other types of cannon with reciprocating mechanisms, such as the 30mm DEFA 550 series have to be cocked or armed before they will fire, a common procedure is to prohibit pilots from doing this until the aircraft is airborne.
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Here is the link to the info that Elk34 tried to pass off as his own (just in case any of you thought he suddenly found the ability to spell properly and/or use correct grammar.)

https://aviation.stackexchange.com/...ircrafts-weapons-from-being-fired-on-the-grou
 
QuietM4 said:
Here is the link to the info that Elk34 tried to pass off as his own (just in case any of you thought he suddenly found the ability to spell properly and/or use correct grammar.)

https://aviation.stackexchange.com/...ircrafts-weapons-from-being-fired-on-the-grou
Click to expand...

I figured it was a copy and paste from somewhere. I was hoping one of our members here had personal experience with the bird.

I worked on AV8B’s (Harrier), in the Marine Corps myself, so I’m always interested in hearing from others with first hand info on different aircraft.
 
I loaded and maintained those weapons for over 10 years in many places.All I can say is someone did not follow the CHECKLIST. You do not use DER MANUAL then it can go wrong, and it looks like it did.
 
QuietM4 said:
Elk34 said:
Normally with aircraft there is a sensor called a weight on wheels switch. This tells the computer that the aircraft is on the ground. The computer (or a system of relays for older air frames) will prevent any system that was designated by the owner, or required by regulations, from activating while in the ground. Also as a secondary preventative measure certain mechanical systems are also pinned in place after landing to help prevent ground actuation. However if it happened during maintenance it is very likely these systems were disabled to perform system maintenance on the cannon.


The article quoted implies that there is a sensor in the F16 to detect when the undercarriage is lowered, which functions as a a gun safety switch, but there is presumably provision for overriding this in order to perform gun testing. A variety of technical and procedural measures are designed to ensure safety with aircraft gun armament, the details varying with the specific type of weapon. The M61 20mm cannon will not function without electrical power, it is electrically rotated (when internally mounted) and fires electrically primed ammunition, so switching off the power should prevent accidental firing with this gun. Other types of cannon with reciprocating mechanisms, such as the 30mm DEFA 550 series have to be cocked or armed before they will fire, a common procedure is to prohibit pilots from doing this until the aircraft is airborne.
Click to expand...

Here is the link to the info that Elk34 tried to pass off as his own (just in case any of you thought he suddenly found the ability to spell properly and/or use correct grammar.)

https://aviation.stackexchange.com/...ircrafts-weapons-from-being-fired-on-the-grou
Click to expand...

O I'm sorry did I step on your nuts QuietM4? I didn't think I need to say where it was from and i don't believe i said here is what i know. Did we date the same person or something in the past and she choose me?
 
ex462 said:
I loaded and maintained those weapons for over 10 years in many places.All I can say is someone did not follow the CHECKLIST. You do not use DER MANUAL then it can go wrong, and it looks like it did.
Click to expand...

Just what I was looking for.

Thank you
 
My question is, why was the Vulcan loaded when the aircraft was going in for maintenance? I was a Gunners mate and before we did any maintenance work on the ships guns or small arms, we followed the safety steps. Frist check the weapon to make sure there wasn't a live round in the chamber. Didn't matter if it was checked the day before, you checked. Safety first!
 
Az desert rat 1 said:
My question is, why was the Vulcan loaded when the aircraft was going in for maintenance? I was a Gunners mate and before we did any maintenance work on the ships guns or small arms, we followed the safety steps. F(ir)st check the weapon to make sure there wasn't a live round in the chamber. Didn't matter if it was checked the day before, you checked. Safety first!
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Ummm... Yeah... Belgium...
Just sayin'...
 
THE ICEMAN said:
Ummm... Yeah... Belgium...
Just sayin'...
Click to expand...
I work with several different European nations, including Belgium. I can say unequivocally that the maintenance and training standards, as well as expectations, are not where they should be. It's almost painful to see what some of these folks are willing to take into the air.

Not as bad as the Middle Eastern nations mind you. Their In Shallah attitude is the single most dangerous thing I have ever seen around aviation.
 
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