An F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter of the South Dakota Air National Guard overshot the end of a runway and came to a rest on the soft ground.
After a routine training mission, the aircraft belonging to the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing was attempting to land on Runway 15 at Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD), also known as Joe Foss Field, on May 12, 2022.
Footage shot at the scene shows the F-16 nose-down in the grass after its landing gear collapsed. Its nose appears to have separated from the airframe. The canopy is still attached to the wreckage, meaning that the pilot did not eject from the aircraft. No injuries were reported.
A @SoDak_ANG 114th Fighter Wing F-16 has crashed after sliding off the end of a runway in Sioux Falls. Officials say the pilot is safe. Find out more on @keloland.comhttps://t.co/NFiH4LPWhV pic.twitter.com/wIvAGkKAZ3
— Jacob Newton (@JacobWNewton) May 11, 2022
“Even though we train to do this every day, there is still risk involved. We are grateful that no one was harmed in this incident,” said Colonel Mark Morrell, commander of the 114th Fighter Wing.
The Air National Guard opened an investigation to identify the cause of the accident.