On Apr. 10, 2006 a pilot was trapped in an F-22 cockpit for five hours after the canopy failed to open.

On Apr. 10, 2006 a pilot was trapped in an F-22 cockpit for five hours after the canopy failed to open. Several attempts to open the canopy failed, and ultimately the canopy was cut by fire department personnel.

Rescuers were forced to cut the canopy on F-22 03-041 to extract the pilot after the canopy failed to open by any other means.

The F-22A Raptor is the U.S. Air Force’s, most expensive, and most capable aircraft ever, but sometimes even the best have a bad day. On Apr. 10, 2006 at approximately 08.15h in fact aircraft 03-041 from the 27th Fighter Squadron (FS) at Langley Air Force Base (AFB), Virginia, had a Red Ball for a canopy unlock indication during pre-flight checks. Attempts to clear the problems by cycling the canopy failed. After the final cycling of the canopy, it remained down and locked position, trapping the pilot in the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently ground aborted.

Rescuers extract the pilot of F-22A Raptor 03-4041 after cutting the canopy. The canopy was only cut as a last resort after all other options were exhausted.

The 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) consulted Lockheed Martin and the F-22A System Program Office to determine alternate methods to open the canopy and extract the pilot. However, all attempts by maintenance personnel to open the canopy failed.

Debris littered the cockpit of F-22 Raptor 03-041 after maintenance personnel were forced to cut the canopy to free the trapped pilot.

After all maintenance options were exhausted, the canopy was cut by the fire department and the pilot was freed from the cockpit at approximately 13.15h.

Debris littered the cockpit of F-22 Raptor 03-041 after maintence personnel were forced to cut the canopy to free the trapped pilot.

According to F-16.net, screws which had loosened and backed out of their mounting holes were to blame for the stuck canopy on an F-22A Raptor 03-041.

While the chances of another canopy sticking in the closed position on an F-22 are remote, contractors retrofitted longer screws as a preventive measure sometime in the future.

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-22A Raptor 192nd Fighter Wing, 149th Fighter Squadron, FF/04-4082 – Langley AFB, VA – 2014

Initial replacement estimates for the canopy were quoted at $182,000, but instead only cost approximately $83,000.

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Photo credit: U.S. Air Force