A Sheppard Air Force Base instructor-pilot died early Tuesday morning from injuries suffered when an ejection occurred, according to base officials.
The pilot with the 80th Flying Training Wing was injured when their T-6A Texan II ejection seat activated during ground operations about 2 p.m. Monday, SAFB public affairs officials said in statements.
“An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway,” 82nd Training Wing public affairs officials said.
Per Air Force policy, the base is withholding the name of the pilot until 24 hours after the notification of next of kin.
The aircrew member was transported to United Regional Health Care System in Wichita Falls for treatment after they were injured Monday.
About the 80th FTW and ENJJPT
The 80th FTW conducts the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program at SAFB, according to the base website. Combat pilots for NATO are trained in the multinational program, the only such program in the world.
About the aircraft
The primary function of the T-6A Texan II is for entry-level training, and it is equipped for a crew of two, a student-pilot and an instructor-pilot seated one in front of the other, according to the base website.
Their positions are interchangeable. But an air crewmember can also pilot the plane alone from the front seat. The single-engine aircraft was designed to train students in basic flying skills for Air Force and Navy pilots.
More: Sheppard AFB: Aircrew member injured when ejection occurred
Trish Choate is serving as the interim editor for the Wichita Falls Times Record News, San Angelo Standard-Times and Abilene Reporter-News. Contact Trish with news tips at [email protected]. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Sheppard AFB instructor pilot dies after ejection
Source Agencies
