Seven years after an accident that nearly saw the jet written off, a U.S. Air Force Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor serial 02-4037/TY made a functional check flight at Hill Air Force Base (AFB), UT after an extensive 7-year repair of the aircraft at the Ogden Air Logistics Center (OOALC).

The Raptor was damaged on May 31, 2012, when a trainee pilot was conducting touch and go landings at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. According to the Air Force Accident Investigation Board’s findings, the pilot failed to accelerate the jet to military power and engaged “premature retraction of the landing gear.” Without enough thrust, the F-22, known by its USAF serial number 02-4037, fell back down to Earth and skidded on its belly for 2,800 feet. The pilot escaped from the damaged aircraft after it stopped, suffering only minor injuries. The pilot was reportedly only on his third flight in an F-22 when the accident occurred.


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The repair effort began shortly after the mishap occurred when a team of USAF, Lockheed and Boeing structural repair experts convened to analyze damages valued at about $35 million. - Jet Fighters World