FA93 ¦ LSMD 03.09.2003
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon (c/n 6H-93)
Belgian Air Force
Dübendorf Air Base (LSMD)
03 September 2003
The Belgian Air Force procured a total of 136 F-16A and 24 F-16Bs in the eighties. Many of the F-16As received an MLU (mid-life update) with more modern avionics, improved radar, enhanced weapons systems and better electronic warfare capabilities. The upgraded F-16As were designated as F-16AMs.
Included was serial FA93, a Block 15R F-16AM delivered in 1980. Operated by the 31st Tiger Squadron, it was captured rocketing out of runway 11 at Dübendorf during a visit of six of the type to Switzerland, still wearing a special colour scheme that dated back to the 2003 NATO Tiger Meet at Cambrai Air Base in France in June 2003.
A few months later, FA93 was sadly involved in a fatal mid-air with sistership FA122, when both aircraft collided during a low-level high-threat exercise over Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium, in December 2003. For some reason, the pilot of FA93 did not eject and was killed in the accident, while the pilot of FA122 successfully ejected and sustained minor injuries only.
FA93 ¦ LSMD 03.09.2003
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon (c/n 6H-93)
Belgian Air Force
Dübendorf Air Base (LSMD)
03 September 2003
The Belgian Air Force procured a total of 136 F-16A and 24 F-16Bs in the eighties. Many of the F-16As received an MLU (mid-life update) with more modern avionics, improved radar, enhanced weapons systems and better electronic warfare capabilities. The upgraded F-16As were designated as F-16AMs.
Included was serial FA93, a Block 15R F-16AM delivered in 1980. Operated by the 31st Tiger Squadron, it was captured rocketing out of runway 11 at Dübendorf during a visit of six of the type to Switzerland, still wearing a special colour scheme that dated back to the 2003 NATO Tiger Meet at Cambrai Air Base in France in June 2003.
A few months later, FA93 was sadly involved in a fatal mid-air with sistership FA122, when both aircraft collided during a low-level high-threat exercise over Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium, in December 2003. For some reason, the pilot of FA93 did not eject and was killed in the accident, while the pilot of FA122 successfully ejected and sustained minor injuries only.