Falling Fuel Tank Barely Misses Homes and an Elementary School

An F-16 Fighting Falcon fuel tank detached and fell into a Florida neighborhood on January 9. Luckily, no injuries were reported and no damage to property has been confirmed. 

The F-16 is part of the 96th Test Wing, stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in the western Florida Panhandle. The base is currently spearheading the investigation and cleaning up the area where the tank fell.

The incident occurred at around 11:00 am in Niceville, Florida. The fuel tank landed near Eglin AFB in a residential neighborhood, just 600 meters from Edge Elementary School. It avoided all nearby cars, people, and homes, ending up as someone’s new backyard decoration.

"Only by the grace of God, it landed between two houses," stated Niceville City Manager David Deitch.

Students were not in the school when the fuel tank came plummeting down, but were expected to attend the next day. The district is “aware of the current situation and is in close communication with Okaloosa County Emergency Management to ensure a smooth and safe return for students,” noted Catherine Card, a spokesperson for Okaloosa County Schools.

While multi-million dollar fighter jets shedding parts sounds unusual, this type of incident is fairly common. In July 2024, an F-16 from the Ohio National Guard dropped its fuel tank during an emergency. Part of the tank landed and blew up in Lake Huron, while the other ended up in a busy parking lot and damaged vehicles. Even in non-emergent situations, military aircraft have lost fuel tanks, refueling hoses, and panels in the past.

"It's not something that somebody really probably had any control over. It's one thing if somebody's jettisoning their stores, trying to get rid of weight ... but if they inadvertently fall out for whatever reason, there's simply not much you can do," stated Retired Col. J.F. Joseph, a Marine Corps pilot who now works as an aviation consultant and expert witness.

FMI: www.eglin.af.mil