F-15D Departs Runway During Landing And Ends Up In The Water

The aircraft was recovering to Kingsley Field following an in-flight emergency during a routine training mission.

A U.S. Air Force F-15D Eagle ended up stuck in the water yesterday at Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base, Oregon, after departing the runway during landing. According to the info provided by the 173rd Fighter Wing, the aircraft experienced an in-flight emergency during a routine training flight, before attempting to land at 3:15 p.m. local time.

The pilot, an instructor assigned to the unit, was the lone occupant of the twin seater aircraft. He was able to walk away autonomously, exiting safely the F-15 before being transported to the hospital as a precaution and for evaluation. The 173rd FW says the pilot has since been released with minor injuries.

After leaving the runway, the F-15 came to a stop in the Bureau of Reclamation irrigation canal at the south side of the runway. The photos show the aircraft mostly submerged, making it difficult to assess the extent of the damage other than the engines flooded with water and the nose dug in the ground.

“We don’t believe the aircraft is leaking any petroleum products based on our initial assessment of the water in the canal,” said Col. Micah Lambert, 173rd Fighter Wing vice commander. “Minimizing the environmental impact is one of our main priorities; we have taken precautionary measures and placed absorbent booms around the aircraft to prevent the flow of fuel, or other substances, downstream in the event there is a leakage.”

The press release says the aircraft is assigned to the 173rd FW, although it could be one of the F-15s recently transferred from Kadena Air Base, Japan, since it appears freshly painted and does not wear unit markings. The unit is now working with local authorities and federal agencies to ensure the aircraft is safely removed from the canal. A board of officers has also been assigned to investigate the mishap.