One pilot dead, another hospitalized after Laughlin Air Force Base jet crash
One pilot died and the other was taken to Val Verde Regional Medical Center after their military aircraft crashed near Del Rio on Monday afternoon.
The T-38 Talon crashed about 4 p.m. about 14 miles northwest of the base, near Lake Amistad, the base stated in a news release.
The names of the pilots are being withheld until next of kin are notified.
"Our
biggest priority at this time is caring for the family and friends of
our Airmen," said Col. Michelle Pryor, 47th Flying Training Wing vice
commander. "We are a close knit family, and when a tragedy like this
occurs every member of the U.S. Armed Forces feels it. Our people take
top priority, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and
security."
A board of officers will convene to investigate the incident, the release stated.
=====================
The T-38 Talon, assigned to Laughlin Air Force Base, crashed at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time roughly 15 miles northwest of the base in Del Rio, Texas, the base said in a release Monday.
One pilot is dead and one was transferred to Val Verde Regional Medical Center, according to a separate statement released later in the evening. The names of the airmen weren't released.
"Our biggest priority at this time is caring for the family and friends of our Airmen," Col. Michelle Pryor, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander, said in the statement.
"We are a close knit family, and when a tragedy like this occurs every member of the U.S. Armed Forces feels it," she added. "Our people take top priority, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security."
Witnesses reported seeing a parachute and pilot descending to the ground.
Laughlin emergency response personnel and local responders were on scene to assist in recovery efforts.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
The twin-engine, high-altitude T-38 trains pilots preparing to fly in fighter and attack aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor, as well as the B-1B Lancer.
The service plans to replace the Northrop Grumman Corp.-made, two-seater T-38 over the next few years, with hopes of buying 350 new aircraft at a time when the service needs to replenish its fighter pilot ranks.
In December, the service launched a potential $16 billion competition to build a replacement T-38, which entered service in 1961. Firms publicly competing for the contract -- known as the T-X program -- include Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Leonardo S.p.A.
| Date: | 20-NOV-2017 |
| Time: | 16:00 |
| Type: |  Northrop T-38C Talon |
| Owner/operator: | United States Air Force (USAF) |
| Registration: | |
| C/n / msn: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Val Verde County, NNW of Del Rio, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Laughlin Air Force Base (KDLF) |
The military training aircraft impacted the terrain in Val Verde County, north-northwest of Del Rio, Texas. The airplane was partially consumed by the post-impact fire and one of the two pilots onboard was fatally injured. One of the pilots onboard the aircraft ejected, receiving undetermined injuries.
Sources:
http://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/2017/11/20/breaking-suspected-plane-crash-reported-near-del-rio/883146001/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/11/21/t38-talon-crashes-texas-pilot-status-unknown.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_T-38_Talon
======================
Northrop Corp.
United States Air Force
Two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines with afterburners - 2,050 pounds dry thrust; 2,900 with afterburners
812 mph (Mach 1.08 at sea level)
1,093 miles
Two, student and instructor
T-38A/C: none; AT-38B: provisions for practice bomb dispenser
The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine,
high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because
of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high
performance and exceptional safety record.
The T-38 has swept wings, a streamlined fuselage and tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose wheel. Two independent hydraulic systems power the ailerons, rudder and other flight control surfaces. Critical aircraft components are waist high and can be easily reached by maintenance crews.
The T-38C incorporates a "glass cockpit" with integrated avionics displays, head-up display and an electronic "no drop bomb" scoring system. The AT-38B has a gun sight and practice bomb dispenser.
Air Education and Training Command uses the T-38C to prepare pilots for front-line fighter and bomber aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor.
The T-38 has swept wings, a streamlined fuselage and tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose wheel. Two independent hydraulic systems power the ailerons, rudder and other flight control surfaces. Critical aircraft components are waist high and can be easily reached by maintenance crews.
The T-38C incorporates a "glass cockpit" with integrated avionics displays, head-up display and an electronic "no drop bomb" scoring system. The AT-38B has a gun sight and practice bomb dispenser.
Air Education and Training Command uses the T-38C to prepare pilots for front-line fighter and bomber aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor.