The United States Air Force has ordered a temporary suspension of operations across its entire fleet of T-38 Talon supersonic trainers following an accident in Alabama on May 12.
The measure was announced as a preventive action while specialists conduct technical analyses and develop new inspection procedures to ensure the aircraft are safe before returning to flight.
The accident involved a T-38C assigned to Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi. The two pilots managed to eject before the aircraft crashed in a rural area near the Alabama-Mississippi border.
The causes of the incident have not yet been officially disclosed and will be investigated by an Air Force investigation board.
According to the military service, each aircraft in the fleet will undergo detailed inspections and will only return to operations after receiving individual clearance.
In the meantime, the affected commands plan to increase the use of simulators to maintain crew training and qualification during the pause.
On the same day as the announcement, another incident drew attention involving a T-6A Texan II from Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. The aircraft made a belly landing at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas after several landing attempts at another airport. Footage showed the aircraft sliding along the runway without its landing gear deployed. Despite the scare, both pilots were unharmed, and the case will also be investigated.
The Department of the @usairforce has directed an operational pause for the T-38 Talon fleet to review procedures and reinforce safe flying operations.
Full details in the 🔗 https://t.co/ZfRlogcl0E pic.twitter.com/dZoMvLiikz
— AETC – First Command (@AETCommand) May 19, 2026
Source and images: U.S. Air Force | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
