Latest "fatal crash" stories

An F-16 pilot died when his ejection seat failed. Was it counterfeit?

New details about 1st Lt. David Schmitz's death have come to light in a federal civil lawsuit filed by his wife against three defense companies.

By Rachel S. Cohen

9 months ago

Deadly aircraft accidents declined in 2021, Air Force says

Sixty-three of the most severe kinds of aviation accidents, known as Class A and Class B mishaps, were reported last year, down from 71 in fiscal 2020.

By Rachel S. Cohen

16 months ago

Draken F1 fleet returns to flight after fatal crash at Nellis

“We are checking, double-checking and triple-checking everything,” a Draken spokesperson said July 29.

By Rachel S. Cohen

22 months ago

Guardsman killed in F-16C crash became disoriented, distracted, safety report says

Capt. Durwood “Hawk” Jones, a fighter pilot with the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 176th Fighter Squadron, went down in Michigan's Hiawatha National Forest around 7:15 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2020.

By Rachel S. Cohen

24 months ago

Wisconsin Air National Guard identifies staff sergeant who was one of two killed in civilian plane crash

Staff Sgt. Remington K. Viney, a Wisconsin resident, began her military journey with the Wisconsin Air National Guard in December 2013.

By Howard Altman

2 years ago

Broken fan blade, shutdown of wrong engine led to fatal E-11 crash in Afghanistan, report says

The investigation found no evidence suggesting that maintenance inspections, procedures or personnel contributed to the mishap — though it does not address what may have caused the fan blade to break off.

By Stephen Losey

2 years ago