What happened
During a night training mission conducted for the U.S. Air Force 86th Flying Training Squadron, an aircraft crashed while performing maneuvers near the Lubbock-Preston Smith Airport. The flight was part of operations for the 47th Flying Training Wing based out of Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
While executing a non-precision approach toward runway 17R, the flight encountered challenging meteorological conditions, including rain showers and wind gusts reaching 40 knots. During the final approach phase, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and a downward pitch. Although the captain attempted to recover by increasing power to both engines, the aircraft struck the ground approximately 1.1 miles before reaching the runway 17R threshold.
The impact resulted in the nose landing gear being sheared from the airframe. The aircraft eventually came to a stop in a nearby field. The incident resulted in two injuries to the crew, with both pilots sustaining minor injuries. The aircraft was determined to be a total loss due to damage sustained during the crash.
Findings
- The flight was operating under adverse weather conditions involving heavy winds and rain.
- The aircraft's descent and pitch change occurred during the final approach phase.