Fighter Jet News

F-16 Fighting Falcon News

120 FS F-16 drops tanks during emergency

July 23, 2010 (by Asif Shamim) - An F-16 from the 120th Fighter Squadron out of Buckley Air Force Base dropped its external fuel tanks after declaring an in-flight emergency during a regular training flight yesterday.

The jet and pilot landed safely at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. No information is currently being released about the nature of the emergency.

The Guard says the pilot was unharmed but the plane jettisoned two empty external fuel tanks over an unpopulated part of Elbert County. The county is about 30 miles south-east of Denver. A Colorado Army National Guard Blackhawk was launched at 17.30h to help in the search.

The pilot was able to drop the tanks over an unpopulated area. Maj. Nicole David said county officials are currently looking for them to help with the investigation.