An A-10 ground-attack aircraft assigned to the 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, crashed Friday north of the German city of Wittlich near Laufeld, which is southwest of Bonn. German responders were first on the scene and transported the pilot to a local hospital, according to Spangdahlem officials. They said the pilot is “in good condition” and receiving medical care. He has been in contact with the leadership of his squadron as well as the base’s parent 52nd Fighter Wing, they said. The wing is withholding the pilot’s name until it notifies his family. The A-10 was on a routine, local training mission at the time of the incident, which happened about 3:57 p.m. local German time. The officials said they would release additional details as they become available. A board of officers will investigate the accident. (Spangdahlem first release and second release and third release)
The Space Development Agency is set to launch 21 Tranche 1 data transport satellites on Oct. 5—its fourth Tranche 1 mission since last fall and the first to carry Northrop Grumman-built satellites.