Warthog Makes Gear-Up Landing At Edwards

Aero-News has learned a US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II made an emergency gear-up landing at Edwards Air Force Base March 25, while participating in a Green Flag sortie out of Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base.

The plane, which had one person aboard, is assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB, GA. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft, unharmed, and was evaluated by flight surgeons here before being released.

"Edwards (AFB) is uniquely suited to handle these kinds of in-flight emergencies," said base officials. "Not only do we have first responders who are well-prepared and equipped to work these incidents, (the base) has the benefit of an enormous lakebed, which can provide a soft landing for any aircraft in distress."

Although a lakebed landing was an option, the A-10 performed a landing on the base's primary landing strip, Runway 22, officials said. A board of officers will investigate the incident.

Of course, it's not unusual for gear-up landings to result in little to no injuries to the persons onboard... but we must admit to being impressed ground crews felt the need to place a wheel chock on the wreckage (shown above.)

Apparently, just because a Warthog is wounded, doesn't mean it might not still move around if it feels like it.. and frankly, we're hard-pressed to see any real damage caused by the runway slide. Try that in a Raptor...

FMI: www.af.mil