A C-17 transport stalled on landing at Dover AFB, Del., back in May, causing approximately $7 million in damage, reported Delaware’s The News Journal. The aircraft, assigned to JB Charleston, S.C., was returning from Afghanistan, when the pilot undershot his approach and struck a localizer antenna, according to the newspaper’s Dec. 16 report. The pilot reportedly attempted to abort the landing and go around, but stalled, touching down on an unimproved surface, which caused substantial damage to the C-17’s undercarriage and fuselage. The crew failed to realize and correct the aircraft’s “unusual pitch attitude and unstable approach airspeed” in time to avoid the accident, according to the newspaper, citing the Air Force’s incident report. The pilot was reportedly flying his first long-haul mission as aircraft commander at the time of the mishap.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.