OA-1K Skyraider II Exits Runway in Oklahoma Incident

October 7, 2026 — An OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft, operated by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), went off the runway while landing at Sundance Airport in Oklahoma City on October 5. Both crew members on board the light attack aircraft are reported safe.

The incident occurred during a training sortie, approximately 20 miles from Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, where the aircraft originated. The OA-1K remains at Sundance Airport as investigators work to determine the cause.

Incident Details Emerge

Officials confirmed the runway excursion involved an OA-1K Skyraider II, an aircraft adapted from a cropduster for close air support, precision strike, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. A spokesperson for the 492nd Special Operations Wing, to which the aircraft belongs, confirmed the safety of the two crew members to Air & Space Forces Magazine.

According to flight tracking data, the aircraft took off from Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in the mid-afternoon of October 5 and conducted patterns for several hours. The incident occurred as the aircraft came in to land at Sundance Airport, reportedly veering left midway down the runway before coming to rest in the grass.

Investigation Underway

The 492nd Special Operations Wing stated that it is "tracking an incident involving one of its OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft at Sundance Airport, Oklahoma City." The wing spokesperson added, "Both crew members are safe and the cause of the incident is under investigation. Further details will follow as the investigation develops."

Local media, including News 9, reported that the aircraft "nose-dived" during landing, resulting in propeller damage. Video footage released by KOCO News 5 corroborated these reports, showing bent propeller blades and skid marks in the grass behind the aircraft.

Training Context and Previous Incidents

The incident took place just days after the 492nd announced the commencement of formal training for new OA-1K pilots. The wing spokesperson declined to confirm whether a student pilot was involved in the October 5 event.

This marks the second safety incident involving an OA-1K Skyraider II since the first airframe arrived at Will Rogers in June 2025. In October 2025, an experienced special operations aviator inadvertently shut off the aircraft's fuel during a training sortie, leading to a crash in a field. The 492nd Special Operations Wing has spent the past year preparing its "schoolhouse" for special operations aviator training.

Recovery Efforts Planned

As of the morning of October 6, the aircraft remained at Sundance Airport. The 492nd spokesperson confirmed, "Our team is currently working courses of action to remove the aircraft off the airfield. Safety-trained personnel are on scene documenting and collecting all evidence while developing a plan to remove the aircraft as soon as safety-investigative procedures allow."