F/A 18 Hornet/Super Hornet
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 1200; Flight Crew Type 1000
Communication Breakdown
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Weather
During IMC climb from FL200 to FL300; student wingman lost sight and fell into trail from his instructor lead. He used his radar to maintain separation with his lead; however; due to poor air work; he allowed himself to get slow and his separation continued to open. Eventually his separation grew as great as 24 miles and his altitude was 5;000 feet below his lead. He was not squawking and did not inform his lead or Oakland Center of the deviation. When the flight lead was given a descent to 16;000 feet; the wingman notified his lead of the error. The flight lead directed the wingman to descend VMC expeditiously to clear out of Class A airspace; while using his air-to-air radar to clear his flight path. The flight rejoined VFR at 16;500 feet. No errors were committed by ATC.
FA-18 Instructor reports his student wingman losing sight of lead in IMC and falling well back and below; in Class A airspace; without advising lead; ATC or squawking altitude.