US Air Force F-15D Eagle Spotted In Drainage Canal In Oregon

A United States Air Force F-15D Eagle was spotted damaged in a drainage canal after it experienced issues while attempting to land in Oregon earlier this week, Central Oregon Daily reports.

The crash took place at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls after the jet, assigned to the 173rd Fighter Wing, returned from a routine training mission and landed on the runway, but accidentally went into a Bureau of Reclamation irrigation canal on Monday (May 15). The one pilot on board was reported to have safely exited the aircraft and taken to Sky Lakes Medical Center to be observed as a precaution before later being released with minor injuries.

“We are so grateful that our pilot was able to walk away from this mishap,” said 173rd Fighter Wing vice commander Col. Micah Lambert in a statement to Central Oregon Daily. “Our Team Kingsley responders acted quickly and with professionalism thanks to the extensive training and safety mindset of our team.”

A board of officers is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. No signs of leaked petroleum products were found during an initial assessment of the canal and absorbent booms were placed around the jet as part of a precautionary procedure to prevent downstream contamination from taking place.

The Air Force confirmed that it was working alongside local and federal agencies, as well as the Bureau of Reclamation, in order to remove the F-15D from the canal as safely as possible.