Air Force Pilots Survive Two Separate Flight Mishaps Involving F-16, F-22

Investigations are underway following the mishaps in Florida and Louisiana.

Reports said the F-22’s landing gear collapsed during landing.

Pilots survived two separate and unrelated fighter jet flight mishaps this week involving an Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon and an Air Force F-22 Raptor, according to the service.

Tuesday morning shortly before 10:30 a.m., an F-22 assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida experienced a mishap, the air base said in a statement.

The incident occurred when the F-22's landing gear collapsed during landing, Air Force Magazine reported.

"Emergency crews responded immediately and were on the scene," the statement said. "The pilot involved in the mishap was released from the hospital and is in good condition."

The next day, on March 23, another service aircraft went down in Louisiana while conducting a routine training flight.

"An Air Force F-16 assigned to the [138th Flight Wing]  of the Oklahoma Air National Guard crashed today in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. The pilot safely ejected and was recovered with no serious injuries," the Oklahoma National Guard said.

The pilot and aircraft, which are both based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, were en route on a routine training mission from Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Texas in Houston.

"Air Force and civilian emergency first responders immediately responded to the scene of the crash and have no reported injuries at this time," the Guard said.

The F-16 is believed to be a total loss, while damages to the F-22 were being assessed, Air Force Magazine said.

Investigations into both incidents are underway, the service said.

Kimberly is managing editor of FLYING Digital.

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