A U.S. Navy Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor assigned to Training Squadron 28 (VT-28) crashed during a routine training mission over the Gulf of Mexico at approximately 11:20 a.m., EST. Early reports indicate that the two-man crew was rescued by U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue personnel from Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi.
Early reports indicate that the pilots bailed out of the aircraft after an unspecified emergency.
Early reports indicate that the pilots bailed out of the aircraft after an unspecified emergency. Though no injuries were initially reported, both pilots were being evaluated at Spohn Shoreline Memorial Hospital.
A T-34C Turbo Mentor assigned to Training Air Wing (TAW) 5, based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, Fla., in flight, ca. 1983. T-34C Turbo Mentors first entered service in June, 1976, and are currently being phased out in favor of the T-6B Texan II. National Museum of Naval Aviation photo
VT-28, the “Rangers,” are the primary flight training squadron based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas. The aging T-34C Turbo Mentor was at one time the primary training aircraft for prospective Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators. First accepted for Navy service in June 1976, the T-34C is currently being replaced by the T-6B Texan II. VT-28 is the last Navy squadron operating the T-34C.
VT-28 is the last Navy squadron operating the T-34C.
The Navy has begun an investigation into the cause of the crash.