An F-15D Eagle belonging to the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Massachusetts, experienced an accidental ejection on the ground, reportedly involving a backseat passenger. The incident, captured in a widely circulated video, occurred while the aircraft was taxiing.
An undated video posted on social media depicts the immediate aftermath. As the F-15 taxis, a puff of smoke emanates from the rear cockpit. The canopy, which is jettisoned during the ejection sequence, is seen resting on the aircraft’s left wing. The passenger, with what appears to be a parachute nearby, is seen crawling on the tarmac as the jet continues to move.
Ejecting at near-zero speed or altitude presents unique hazards. While such incidents are rare, they are not unprecedented, even for passengers on incentive flights. The Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page identified the passenger as a recruiting officer from the 104th Fighter Wing, a detail that has yet to be officially confirmed.
In response to inquiries, the 104th Fighter Wing issued a statement detailing the mishap. The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:05 p.m. on August 12, 2025, involved an F-15D Eagle and two service members. One individual was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and later released without injury, while the other was not injured.
In a move to prioritize safety, wing leadership initiated a safety standdown of all flight operations following the event. After a 36-hour pause, flight operations have since resumed. An official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the mishap. In accordance with Air Force policy, the identities of those involved will not be released until the investigation is complete.
