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F-16 Fighting Falcon News

F-16D from 61 FS belly lands on runway

April 2, 2008 (by Asif Shamim) - An F-16D from the 61st Fighter Squadron slid down the runway with gear up at Gila Bend Auxiliary Field in Arizona on Wednesday morning at 09.10h local time after returning from a training mission.

USAF F-16D block 25 #84-1330 from the 61st FS taxis prior to a mission during Red Flag-Alaska 07-1 on April 11th, 2007. This was the jet involved in the mishap

The airfields emergency teams attended the mishap and both pilots, on board were not injured in the incident. The F-16D block 25 was identified to be #84-1330 which has achieved well over 6000 Flt hrs. The aircraft also was a test bed for the Recce RF-16D in the 80s.

One of the pilots was an instructor while the other was qualifying to become an instructor remained with the jet as it belly landed at the airfield.

As a precautionary measure both were taken to Luke Air Force Base's medical facility for observation.

Accident investigators will look into the causes of the accident and extend of damage to the jet.

Gila Bend is located approximately 45 miles south of Phoenix and is used for emergency landings and practice approaches by pilots from Luke AFB.

This news article will be updated as more information becomes available


Additional images:

RF-16D Demo bird. USAF F-16D block 25 #84-1330 was used for these test flights. [LMTAS photo]

61st FS (Unknown collection)
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