- An OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft crashed during a training mission in southeast Oklahoma City on October 22; no injuries were reported.
- The aircraft struck power poles and caused a small fire, which was extinguished; the cause of the crash is under investigation.
The Oklahoma National Guard confirmed Thursday that an OA-1K Skyraider II attack aircraft crashed during a routine training flight in southeast Oklahoma City.
The aircraft, which had recently entered service with the U.S. Air Force, was carrying one civilian contractor and one Air Force member at the time of the incident.
According to the Oklahoma National Guard, no injuries were reported in connection with the crash. The crew was conducting a training mission when the aircraft went down.
The Oklahoma City Fire Department said the plane struck two power poles on impact, bringing down electrical lines and sparking a small grass fire. Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames, and electric utility personnel with OEC were dispatched to restore service and secure the damaged lines.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not released further details regarding the flight profile or sequence of events leading to the incident.
The OA-1K Skyraider II is a newly introduced platform designed to provide low-cost, manned close air support and precision strike capability for U.S. Air Force special operations. Based on the AT-802 airframe, the Skyraider II is a rugged, propeller-driven aircraft adapted for military missions in remote and austere environments.
Equipped with integrated sensors and weapons systems, the aircraft supports armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Its operational concept centers on supporting special operations forces in areas where conventional air assets may not be readily available or sustainable.
The U.S. Air Force introduced the OA-1K Skyraider II earlier this year as part of a broader effort to field versatile, affordable platforms for irregular warfare and low-intensity conflict. The aircraft’s simple maintenance profile and ability to operate from unimproved airstrips make it well suited for geographically isolated missions.
Thursday’s crash marks the first publicly known incident involving the Skyraider II since its fielding. The presence of both a contractor and an Air Force member aboard the aircraft suggests that the flight may have included operational testing or instructional elements, though this has not been confirmed.