FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY This report is for official use only (FOUO), may contain privacy and/or privileged information and is not to be released to any other activity or organization, or used for any purpose other than safety, without the written permission of Commander, Naval Safety Center. Ref: SECNAVINST 5720.42, OPNAVINST 3750.6 Series and OPNAVINST 5102.1 Series. THIS IS PART OF A GENERAL USE AVIATION HAZARD REPORT. 1. REPORTING INFORMATION B. LOCAL SERIAL #: 11-14 C. EVENT DATE: 4/27/14 D. REPORTING ACTIVITY: STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) E. ENDORSING CHAIN: F. SUMMARY: F/A-18F: Near mid-air with balloon like object in W-72. G. INVOLVED AIRCRAFT (2) UNKNOWN 2. ACCEPTED CAUSE FACTORS A. FACTOR #1 (1) STATEMENT: UADs operating in W-72. (2) TYPE: SPECIAL FACTOR (3) RAC: CRITICAL RISK (4) APPLIES TO : (5) ANALYSIS: UADs operating in controlled airspace without prior coordination or communication pose a severe threat to Naval Aviation. (6) FACTOR TYPE: Special Factor (7) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- AVIATION MISHAP BOARD (1) JUSTIFICATION: 3. FACTORS OF OTHER DAMAGE OR INJURY 4. RECOMMENDATIONS A. RECOMMENDATION #1 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all UAV operators. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL UAV COMMANDS (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: B. RECOMMENDATION #2 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all activities operating within W-72. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL TACAIR AIRCRAFT ACTIVITIES FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY This report is for official use only (FOUO), may contain privacy and/or privileged information and is not to be released to any other activity or organization, or used for any purpose other than safety, without the written permission of Commander, Naval Safety Center. Ref: SECNAVINST 5720.42, OPNAVINST 3750.6 Series and OPNAVINST 5102.1 Series. (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: C. RECOMMENDATION #3 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all activities operating within W-72. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL AMPHIBIOUS SHIPS (Aviation Only) (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: D. RECOMMENDATION #4 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all activities operating within W-72. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL CG Class Ships and ISICs (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: E. RECOMMENDATION #5 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all activities operating within W-72. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL CVN Class Ships and ISICs (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: F. RECOMMENDATION #6 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all activities operating within W-72. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL DDG Class Ships and ISICs (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY This report is for official use only (FOUO), may contain privacy and/or privileged information and is not to be released to any other activity or organization, or used for any purpose other than safety, without the written permission of Commander, Naval Safety Center. Ref: SECNAVINST 5720.42, OPNAVINST 3750.6 Series and OPNAVINST 5102.1 Series. (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: G. RECOMMENDATION #7 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all activities operating within W-72. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL FFG Class Ships and ISICs (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: H. RECOMMENDATION #8 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all activities operating within W-72. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT ACTIVITIES (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: I. RECOMMENDATION #9 (1) STATEMENT: Brief to all activities operating within W-72. (2) ACTION AGENCY: ALL ATC ACTIVITIES (3) APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSE FACTOR(S): (a) UADs operating in W-72. (4) STATUS: COMPLETED (5) REMARKS: (6) ENDORSEMENTS (a) ORIGINATING -- STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) (1) JUSTIFICATION: 5. COMMANDER'S COMMENTS A. This is the third occurrence in five days, and the fourth in the last ten months observed by the squadron. (WESS Serial #s 1372355853714, 1398374727732, and 1398374605670.) The operation of UAVs and other aerial devices must be properly coordinated and communicated to keep aircrew informed and safe. -- FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY This report is for official use only (FOUO), may contain privacy and/or privileged information and is not to be released to any other activity or organization, or used for any purpose other than safety, without the written permission of Commander, Naval Safety Center. Ref: SECNAVINST 5720.42, OPNAVINST 3750.6 Series and OPNAVINST 5102.1 Series. STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 11 - VFA-11 (N09560) END OF REPORT