A U.S. Air Force T-38C Talon II training aircraft stationed at Vance Air Force Base crashed 70 miles west of Enid, Oklahoma at approximately 1:48 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17.

At the time of the accident, the T-38C aircraft was performing a training mission. One instructor pilot was on board, and safely ejected. The pilot is conscious, was not seriously injured and was evaluated by Air Force medical personnel.

According to apress release from 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance AFB, the base’s emergency response personnel arrived on the site after the incident and have begun an accident investigation.

The statement added that the aircraft is a total loss.

Northrop T-38 Talon

Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twinjet supersonic jet trainer. It was the world’s first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2018 in several air forces.

The U.S. Air Force operates the most T-38s. In addition to training USAF pilots, the T-38 is used by NASA. The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School is the principal US Navy operator (other T-38s were previously used as USN aggressor aircraft until replaced by the similar Northrop F-5 Tiger II). Pilots of other NATO nations fly the T-38 in joint training programs with USAF pilots.

As of 2018, the T-38 has been in service for over 50 years with its original operator, the United States Air Force.





