F-22A Crashes At Savannah International Airport
Only a month since an F-22A crashed at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan due to landing gear failure. Now, the F-22A from the USAF’s 1st Fighter Wing fell victim to the unfortunate incident during exercises.
The plane crashed on the runway of the Savannah-Hilton International Airport, Georgia, at noon on 6 May. From the available imagery it can be established that the fighter jet suffered damage on the right side of its undercarriage and tilted on its right wing. The jet belonging to the 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing from Langley-Eustis AFB in Virginia took part in the Sentry Savannah 2024 exercise organized by the Air Dominance Center.
The Air Dominance Center operates out of Savannah Air National Guard Base and is operated and maintained by the 165th Airlift Wing. Its priority task is to increase the individual and group skills of the USAF pilots in combat and support operation flights. Located in Savannah, Georgia, the Center includes the Air Mobility Mission, Air Support Operations Mission, Command and Control Mission, Individual Training Mission, and Tactical Air Control Party Mission.
According to a press release published by the 165th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, the pilot was not harmed in the incident. Its causes will be investigated while the exercise will continue as scheduled. The exercise is set to continue until 18 May. “Thank you to all the first responders who arrived on scene,” said Colonel Stephen Thomas, commander of the Air Dominance Center, in a statement, adding that “Sentry Savannah is all about showcasing readiness and today’s mishap affirmed our airmen’s ability to respond at a moment’s notice.”
The F-22 Raptors were included in at least several mishaps and incidents over the years. Luckily none of them involved fatalities. The latest mishap, at Kadena AFB was a result of the nose landing gear collapsing under the jet on the runway, resulting in damaging the 5th generation fighter jet.