Increased pitch angle by the pilot while landing an E-4B aircraft at night on May 12 at Offutt AFB, Neb., caused the tail to strike the runway and incur damage, according to the results of Air Combat Command’s accident investigation. The tail and the lower fuselage sustained about $3.1 million in damages. The pilots and crewmembers were not injured. The members of the accident investigation board identified several factors that contributed to the accident, including pilot misperception of operational conditions and procedural error. E-4B aircraft serve as airborne command and control platforms for the President and Pentagon leadership during national emergenices. (Langley release) (AIB executive summary)
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
