Here’s what you need to know about the B-2 crash in Guam:
Incident Overview
- On February 23, 2008, the B‑2 Spirit stealth bomber “Spirit of Kansas” (tail # 89‑0127) crashed during takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
- The aircraft was destroyed—valued at approximately $1.4 billion—marking the first and only operational loss of a B‑2 to date
- Both crew members ejected safely; one sustained a spinal injury but recovered fully
Cause of the Crash
- Faulty sensor data was to blame. Three out of 24 skin‑flush air data sensors became contaminated by moisture/humidity, causing the flight computer to misread speed and angle of attack
- The system falsely reported the bomber was pitched nose-down and traveling at higher speeds, triggering an automatic 30° pitch-up maneuver → aerodynamic stall → wingtip strike → crash
- Subsequent repairs led to updated maintenance procedures: pitot heaters must be activated during preflight calibration in humid conditions
Technical Insight
- The B‑2 is a “fly-by-wire” aircraft with inherent instability—it relies on flight computers for control rather than manual input
- A small calibration error due to moisture can have major consequences, as seen in this incident
Aftermath & Takeaways
- The B‑2 fleet underwent a 53-day operational pause while safety protocols were revised
- Pitot heater usage and sensor calibration checklists were standardized to prevent recurrence
- This crash remains the most expensive aircraft accident in history, though thankfully no lives were lost
Reddit Highlights
“Incorrect airspeed data on cockpit displays led to the aircraft rotating at 12 knots slower than indicated… the computers injected a sudden, 1.6 g… 30‑degree pitch‑up maneuver.”
“Best part about this crash it was caused by one of the sensors being corroded due to rain…”
Summary
A 30-second calibration oversight in Guam’s humidity caused a sensor error, triggered computer-based flight instability, and led to the costly loss of a B‑2—prompting essential maintenance improvements across the fleet.
Want more? I can show you diagrams, crew interviews, or how the updated procedures work.