Air Force Makes Changes to F-22 Fighter Planes After it Plays a Role in the Death of Pilots

Jeff Haney died in 2010 after plane crash

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By KTVA CBS 11 News
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Story Created: Mar 20, 2012 at 5:43 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 21, 2012 at 9:14 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The Air Force has made changes to the handles that engage the emergency oxygen system in its entire fleet of F-22 Raptor fighter jets, after they were found to have played a role in the death of one of its pilots.

In November of 2010 Captain Jeff Haney died after his F-22 crashed in the wilderness about 100 miles north of Anchorage.

His widow has filed a wrongful death lawsuit claiming that the F-22 is unreasonably defective and the oxygen generation and other life support systems were responsible for her husband’s death.

Other pilots have reported that the jet's oxygen systems were not supplying them enough air, causing wooziness.

The issue caused the Air Force to ground the entire fleet of fighter jets last year.

An accident investigation report released by the Air Force in December found that Haney was unable to pull the handle to engage the emergency oxygen system, contributing to the F-22's crash.

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concerned907 said on Wednesday, Mar 21 at 8:42 AM

My question is: Why did Capt Haney have to die before this little $47 ring was changed out? Surely somebody had to have known how next to impossible it was to pull this ring in case of an emergency when a pilot is frantically trying to get oxygen. I hope these companies who designed and manufactured the planes will get hit where it hurts....the bank account eventhough it won't change the fact that Capt Haney's family forever lost a husband, father, son, brother...

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BobD said on Tuesday, Mar 20 at 10:19 PM

Good move if it saves the life of even one pilot.

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