USAF F-22 RAPTOR SUFFERS AN ACCIDENT DURING TAKE-OFF

USAF F-22 Raptor suffers an accident during take-off.

An F-22A Raptor belonging to the 3rd Wing of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was involved in a serious accident on April 13. The details are not clear, but a source told The War Zone that the pilot could have retracted the gear too early during take-off causing the crash of the plane. Fortunately, the pilot managed to get out of the aircraft without serious injuries. The accident occurred at NAS Fallon, where the fighter was deployed for an exercise. The structure of the aircraft has suffered major damage and it is not clear whether it will be repairable.

The previous mishap involving a Raptor dates back to 2015 when an F-22 belonging to the 3rd Wing suffered an accident after landing at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Honolulu. The left main brake of the plane overheated and caught fire.

This marks the eleventh accident for the fifth generation stealth aircraft.

Written by Matteo Sanzani

Photo Credit: The War Zone