A U.S. Air Force F-15D departed the runway during landing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Ore at approximately 3:15 p.m. yesterday. The aircraft left the paved surface and came to a stop in the Bureau of Reclamation irrigation canal at the south side of the runway.
Col. Micah Lambert, 173rd Fighter Wing vice commander, said the wing is conducting ongoing water sampling to detect if there is a presence of petroleum products in the water. The F-15 instructor pilot exited the aircraft safely and was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center for evaluation.
He has since been released with minor injuries. The wing is partnering with local authorities and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Reclamation, to ensure the aircraft is safely removed from the canal. A board of officers has been assigned to investigate the mishap. Additional updates will be provided as soon as they are available.