Report: Air Force F-22 skids on its belly during botched takeoff
By Tom Demerly
Unofficial Sources Say F-22 Acting as Adversary at NAS Fallon Had Flame-Out.
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor from the 3rd Air Force Wing at Elmendorf Air Force has been involved in an incident at NAS Fallon in western Nevada. The aircraft has been shown in photos posted to social media laying on the runway with the landing gear retracted. The aircraft appears largely intact. No injuries have been reported. BTW, Tyler Rogoway at The War Zone has posted an interesting photo of the Raptor on its belly here.
There has not been an official announcement of the cause of the incident, and an incident like this will be subject to an official investigation that will ultimately determine the official cause.
Unofficial sources at the scene of the incident said that, “The slide happened on takeoff. It appears to have been a left engine flameout when the pilot throttled up to take off. By the time he realized the engine was dead, he had already been airborne for a few seconds and raised the gear. The jet bounced for around 1500 feet, and then slid for about 5000 feet. They got it off the ground and on its landing gear last night, so the runway is clear.”
The source also alleged there was another engine-related incident on an Elmendorf F-22 within the last seven days, although this unofficial information has not been verified.
Social media photos showed the aircraft being lifted with a crane following the incident. (Photos: via Air Force amn/nco/snco Group on Facebook)
It is likely the aircraft involved in the incident came from either the 3rd Wing’s 525th Fighter Squadron or the wing’s 90th Squadron. The 525th and 90th fighter squadrons are both part of the U.S. Air Force 3rd Wing. According to several sources the F-22 was at NAS Fallon to provide an adversary training resource to aircraft on exercise at the base. Naval Air Station Fallon is the home of the famous “Top Gun” school, the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program
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Just Remember, We ALL Told You So.
Posts: 22445 | Location: Occupying Little Minds Rent Free | Registered: 04 October 2012
Gosh you would think that during the work ups on the F-22 someone thought about trying to take off on one engine. It can do 1,300 knots but can't get in the air on one?
Someone's going to need a little more simulator time - if he's ever allowed around the flight line again. Positive rate of climb... THEN gear. Everyone wants to be an airshow pilot.
Flight computer probably needs a good spanking too.
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Just Remember, We ALL Told You So.
Posts: 22445 | Location: Occupying Little Minds Rent Free | Registered: 04 October 2012
