CHINA LAKE CA–During a war games exercise, an RAF Top gun and his copilot crash landed a new $136.3 million Typhoon fighter at China Lake air base in California. The plane skidded on its belly on the runway at 130 mph.
With no wheels.
“Everything points to the pilot forgetting to lower the wheels, which does happen from time to time,” an RAF insider said.
None of the other 48 Typhoons in service has been grounded with landing gear failure.
The pilot and his copilot were unhurt.
Recently the China Lake air base area has been struck with earth quake activity.
RAF’s Typhoons are based at RAF Coningsby; the damaged jet will be returned to the UK for possible repair or salvage.