Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Thunderbirds pilot, passenger in good condition after mishap

Thunderbirds Accident Ohio

Ty Greenlees /Dayton Daily News / AP

Authorities say an Air Force Thunderbirds jet preparing for an air show was involved in an accident on Friday, June 23, 2017 at Dayton International Airport in Ohio.

Updated Friday, June 23, 2017 | 3:53 p.m.

DAYTON, Ohio — A North Las Vegas-based Thunderbirds Air Force jet went off a runway during preparations for an Ohio air show, injuring the pilot and causing a performance to be canceled.

Lt. Col. Jason Heard of the Thunderbirds says a safety board will determine the cause of the "mishap" that occurred upon landing around 12:30 p.m. Friday at Dayton International Airport. The elite flight demonstration team is based at Nellis Air Force Base.

Heard says the pilot suffered some lacerations and injuries to his leg and another team member on the plane had no visible injuries. Both are in good condition after being treated at a hospital.

Heard said the crew of the F-16D Fighting Falcon was doing a routine flyover at the Vectren Dayton Air Show site to familiarize staff with it. That jet wasn't scheduled to perform.

He says the Thunderbirds have decided not to fly in Saturday's show. It wasn't immediately known if they will fly Sunday.

The Las Vegas Sun and Associated Press contributed to this report.