Loose missile rail makes F-15 land at Nellis

[unhappycamper]

Loose missile rail makes F-15 land at Nellis
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jan 25, 2008 14:33:58 EST

An F-15C Eagle made an emergency landing Thursday at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., after a missile launch rail came loose and punched a hole in the fighter’s left wing, according to Air Force reports.

The jet, assigned to Nellis’ 57th Wing, was on a late afternoon mission when a missile rail holding a practice AIM-9X Sidewinder missile came loose under the left wing.

While the rail and missile stayed attached to the jet, the fluttering rail and AIM-9X banged into the wing’s leading edge, resulting in a fuel leak.

The pilot safely landed the jet at Nellis, a report said. An investigation board is looking into what led to the rail becoming loose.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/01/airforce_F15C_Mishap_Nellis_080125w/