Air Force blames pilot error for Aug. 8 crash

One pilot, Maj. David Kossler, ejected and parachuted to the ground before his F-16 crashed into the Mormon Mountains on Aug. 8. Kossler received bumps and bruises. The $20 million aircraft was destroyed.

The second pilot, Maj. Brandon Sweat, landed his damaged F-16 at Nellis. He was unhurt. No property damage or injuries were reported.

The two jets were among four from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, based at Nellis. They were on a training mission simulating a dogfight when they collided.

An Air Force accident investigation cited "clear and convincing evidence" that Sweat violated training rules. He was faulted for losing sight of Kossler's aircraft and failing to clear his flight path with Kossler before colliding.

Kossler was faulted for poor communication with his wing partner - an unidentified pilot in an aircraft that was not involved in the crash.

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