A fighter jet was damaged during landing when its front landing gear failed at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. (Photo: Mesa Fire and Medical Department)
A fighter jet was damaged during landing at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport when its front landing gear failed Thursday afternoon, fire officials said.
The 63-year-old pilot was able to escape without harm after the nose of the 1970 model A-4 fighter struck the runway, and the plane skidded for a short distance before coming to a stop at about 12:45 p.m., according to Mesa Fire and Medical Department.
The plane is based at the airport and was returning from a training flight at the time of the incident.
An investigation will be launched by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
