Losses and Aviation Safety

One Killed, One Injured in T-38C Crash at Laughlin Air Force Base

This is the fifth USAF T-38 crash in in 12 months

On Nov. 13, 2018 a T-38C Talon supersonic jet crashed at approximately 7:40 p.m. at Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB) in southern Texas, killing one pilot and sending a second to a hospital, the base said.

His condition wasn’t specified by officials, and their identities are being withheld until their families are notified.

The base says a board of officers will be convened to investigate the cause of the crash.

The Air Force website describes the Talon as a “twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles,” including preparing pilots “for front-line fighter and bomber aircraft.”

Noteworthy this is the fifth USAF T-38 crash in in 12 months. Another T-38C Talon crash in November 2017 resulted in the death of one of its two pilots.

The T-38C Talon II is a is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles. Air Education and Training Command is the primary user of the T-38 for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Education and Training Command uses the T-38C to prepare pilots for front-line fighter and bomber aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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