RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) –  U.S. Air Force Accident Investigation Board determined the cause of the March 26, 2001, fatal aircraft accident was a breakdown in terrain avoidance responsibilities between the pilot(s) and air traffic controller(s) on the ground.

This breakdown led to a descent below safety altitudes without the pilots having positive visual contact with the ground.

The pilots of the two RAF Lakenheath-assigned F-15C aircraft crashed near the remote summit of Ben Macdui, in the Cairngorm mountain range, Scotland, March 26, 2001.

Pilots of both aircraft were fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, were on a low level training mission. The AIB president is Maj. Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. At the time the AIB first formed, he was the commander, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

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