Two military pilots were forced to eject from a T-6A Texan II training aircraft on Thursday afternoon following a landing gear malfunction near Seguin, Texas. The incident, which officials characterized as a “controlled bailout,” occurred at approximately 5:51 p.m. local time while the aircraft was operating under the authority of the 12th Flying Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio.
According to a news release from the base, the decision to abandon the aircraft came after the flight crew received technical indications that the landing gear was unsafe. Faced with the mechanical uncertainty, the pilots sought guidance from experts on the ground. Following a consultation with these specialists, the recommendation was made for the crew to eject from the single-engine trainer rather than attempt a landing with potentially compromised gear.
The ejection was successful, and both pilots landed safely. They were immediately met by local medical personnel for evaluation. While the military confirmed they were undergoing medical checks, the specific conditions of the pilots and the extent of any potential injuries were not immediately disclosed to the public following the incident.
The T-6A Texan II serves as a cornerstone of the American military’s flight instruction program. It is a single-engine, two-seat primary trainer specifically designed to teach student pilots from both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy the fundamentals of flight. The aircraft is widely used to develop basic flying skills before students move on to more advanced platforms.
The 12th Flying Training Wing, which operated the aircraft involved in the incident, is tasked by the Air Education and Training Command with developing the next generation of Air Force aviators and enlisted aircrew. The wing provides world-class flying training and education for both domestic and international students.
The site of the bailout near Seguin is located roughly 35 miles east of San Antonio. As of late Thursday, military officials had not provided further details regarding the eventual impact site of the aircraft or the status of the subsequent investigation into the landing gear failure. Standard procedures for such incidents typically involve a safety board investigation to determine the root cause of the mechanical failure.
