F-16 Pilot Ejects After Making Emergency Landing at Osan Airbase
Fortunately it appears no one was seriously hurt from this emergency landing at Osan AB:
A U.S. pilot escaped from a fighter jet after making an emergency landing during an aerial combat exercise, the United States Forces Korea (USFK) said Saturday.
The USFK said a pilot of F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron successfully escaped from his jet after landing at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul. The incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m.
The USFK said emergency teams have reached the pilot with authorities trying to determine the cause of the incident. [Yonhap]
Here is the press release from Osan Airbase that shows that the pilot actually ejected from the aircraft while on the ground:
After landing from a training mission, a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot ejected from an F-16 Fighting Falcon
assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron at approximately 5 p.m.
The pilot was taken to the 51st Medical Group clinic and was listed in good condition.
“We are relieved that our Mustang pilot ejected safely, and is now in the good hands of our medical team,”
said Col. Andrew Hansen, 51st Fighter Wing commander. “We are currently focused on thoroughly
investigating the cause of this incident in order to minimize the chances of it happening again in the future.”
A board of officers will investigate the accident as part of a safety investigation board. [Osan AB]
Ejecting after landing is very unusual.
The Yonhap story says “escaped” but the Osan PA story says “ejected.” If it were the other way around I would think Yonhap misinterpreted what is termed a ground egress. But since Public Affairs should be familiar with the distinction I have to believe the pilot actually launched his ejection seat after make an emergency landing.
Waiting to find out what really happened.
If it’s heading off the runway at high speed…that would be a situation the pilot would eject after landing.