Who says you need two wings to fly?

[Theis]

Now this is a cool story that really happened.

The F-15 that lost a wing and lived to fight another day.

The photos at the bottom of the page are amazing!

Cheers Theis

[congo]

That's amazing all right!

I wonder why the instructor didn't eject? Or take over the aircraft? I can't see a spar stub in the airborne photos either, which is odd.

[Jakemaster]

I lost a wing in strike fighters once.  I managed to hold it allright until I got about 10 miles from base, when the plane suddenly went into a serious spin and I ejected.

[Tweek]

How the hell?!

[GWSimulations]

I think a USAF one was involved in a simmilar incident. I think it hit an A-10, but I'm not sure.

[C]

I think a USAF one was involved in a simmilar incident. I think it hit an A-10, but I'm not sure.

There was an incident involving two F-18s that was very similar, and well photographed. Unfortunately most mid air collisions leave at least one of the crews to take the Martin-Baker option, although collisions where both aircraft survive after barely clipping have been known, and the little damage inflicted is unbelievable in some cases.

[Saitek]

Incredible! Thanks for posting that Theis.

[Clipper]

If anyone could land a plane is that condition, it's a military pilot. Imagine the tenseness and stress trying to bring it down in that condition. A remarkable story. Nice find Theis!  :)

[elite marksman]

What about the DC-8 that lost an engine and a couple feet of wing because of severe turbulence, he had passangers to think about too.

[C]

[quote]If anyone could land a plane is that condition, it's a military pilot. Imagine the tenseness and stress trying to bring it down in that condition. A remarkable story. Nice find Theis!

[Woodlouse2002]

If the stories anything to go by he didn't know he'd lost a wing till after he landed. So he didn't really have any of the stress to worry about. Had he known I reckon he'd have taken the Martin Baker route out.

[C]

If the stories anything to go by he didn't know he'd lost a wing till after he landed. So he didn't really have any of the stress to worry about. Had he known I reckon he'd have taken the Martin Baker route out.

Was his wingman blind?

(or his WSO for that matter. Rear view mirrors aren't for adjusting one's hair in...)

[Woodlouse2002]

Was his wingman blind?

(or his WSO for that matter. Rear view mirrors aren't for adjusting one's hair in...)

According to the article his WSO was an instructor who did want to eject. But as he had no warning lights and as the plane was still flying he was going to stay inside.

[C]

Ahh, I get it now. They were single seat F-15s. His instructor was obviously his wingman - if he'd had a WSO he'd have been command ejected from the back seat. Seems like a bit of an idiot to me, and was very lucky with the landing. Not very decisive either...

"OK, I'll eject, er, no I won't, yes I will, no I won't,er, yes I will, oh, what that, s*%t that's the ground, speed, er, 260kts! B*:'^r me I've messed this up..."

Badumph...

"Phew, got away with that one!"

[congo]

I'm still not convinced this really happened.