U.S. Army Aircraft Declares Emergency Following Stuck Trim on Departure

On 14 May 2026, a U.S. Air Force aircraft operating as Wing 49 departed Runway 36 from St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport when the crew declared an emergency after discovering a stuck trim wheel.

Accident Facts

The pilots advised the tower that the malfunction was affecting aircraft control and that they were having difficulty maintaining altitude, prompting a request to return to the airport for an immediate landing. Air traffic control gave Wing 49 priority handling and coordinated surrounding traffic to ensure a safe recovery. During the emergency, the crew reported two people on board, approximately four hours of fuel remaining, and confirmed that there were no hazardous materials on the aircraft.

As the pilots worked through the issue, they were able to stabilize the aircraft and position for a return approach to Runway 36. As Wing 49 approached the airport, the tower offered the option of a low pass to visually inspect the landing gear, but the crew reported that all gear indications were normal and elected to continue directly to landing. The aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 36 and touched down safely without further incident.

After exiting the runway, the crew contacted ground control, successfully concluding the emergency return