F-15 accidentally dumps fuel in flight

The pilot of a National Guard F-15 jet based in Fresno had to make an emergency landing Thursday after an unintentional fuel dump, officials said.

The incident occurred during during a training flight Thursday morning.

The plane, assigned to the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard, reportedly dumped an unknown amount of fuel during the flight, prompting the pilot to land the aircraft back at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, officials said.

The incident was partially caught on camera by KMPH-TV News in Fresno.

The footage shows the F-15 approaching the runway with a stream of fumes originating from its back.

The dump, known as a “fuel vent,” is a process in which the kerosene-based fuel is intentionally ejected from the plane during certain situations like landings.

The fuel vent that occurred Thursday was “not supposed to happen” and was not initiated by the pilot, said Master Sgt. Charles Vaughn from the 144th Fighter Wing.