An ordinary training flight turned tense on Tuesday afternoon when a Vance Air Force Base training aircraft made an emergency belly landing at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. Both pilots got out of the aircraft on their own and were examined by medical personnel, and emergency crews responded to the runway. No serious injuries were reported.
According to a news release via KOCO, the aircraft was an Air Force T-6A Texan II assigned to Vance AFB. The release states that both pilots exited the plane without injury, were checked by medical personnel, and that emergency response crews arrived immediately. The landing took place at McConnell AFB in Wichita; the two bases sit roughly 120 miles apart.
The T-6A Texan II is a single-engine, two-seat primary trainer used in Joint Primary Pilot Training to teach the basic flying skills student pilots need before moving on to jets or other tracks, according to the U.S. Air Force. The T-6 is a workhorse of early flight instruction across bases such as Vance and others under Air Education and Training Command.
Investigation and next steps
KOCO reports that an initial investigation is underway and that a board of officers will be appointed to formally review the mishap. Officials have not released further details about what led to the emergency landing or the extent of any damage to the aircraft.
