5-inch metal pin does $6.7 million in damage to Raptor

Published: Mar 23, 2006
Source: home.hamptonroads.com



One night last October in the Utah desert, an Air Force mechanic double-checked the landing gear on a gleaming new F-22 Raptor fighter jet. It was five days into the Langley Air Force Base unit's first training mission.

The mechanic spotted a 5-inch metal pin and an attached streamer fastened to the front landing gear. It needed to be removed before the plane could depart on its late-night mission.

Inside the cockpit, the pilot shut down one of the plane's two engines. The mechanic reached into the landing gear and pulled the small pin and 3-foot streamer.

In an instant, the piece leaped from the mechanic's grip and into the still-turning jet engine. Sparks flew. Metal screeched. Stomachs dropped.

On Wednesday, the Air Force released its investigation of the incident and tallied the repair bill - $6.7 million plus.continue..