F-16 pilot returns safely following in-flight incident

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • Air Force Print News
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., jettisoned two external fuel tanks during a mechanical malfunction on takeoff at about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 21 on a homeland defense mission. 

The control tower noticed smoke coming from the fighter aircraft and reported it to the pilot who then followed the proper emergency checklist, which included dropping the 370-gallon external fuel tanks. 

Base officials worked closely with local sheriff and fire departments in the recovery of the fuel tanks.

"The tanks were jettisoned in an open field away from the public and nobody on the ground was hurt," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams, spokesperson for the 20th Fighter Wing. "The pilot did everything the way he was supposed to do and returned to base safely.

"It was a great joint effort," Sergeant Williams said. "Both of the fuel tanks have been recovered. And today a team is out doing the environmental cleanup, which appears to be minimal."

A first-response team found the first tank close to a country intersection near Wedgefield, S.C., shortly after arriving on scene. They found the second tank a few hours later about 100 yards away in a densely forested area.

A board has been put together to investigate the cause of the incident, which is still under investigation, the sergeant said. Cleanup is expected to be completed Sept. 22.