A new video circulating online shows security camera footage of the full accidental ejection of a passenger from an F-15D Eagle at Barnes Air National Guard Base on Tuesday.
The footage captures the 104th Fighter Wing aircraft taxiing when the rear ACES II ejection seat fired, propelling the passenger upward as the parachute deployed and the seat separated.
Another angle of the F-15 passenger who ejected whilst still on the tarmac at Barnes AFB in Massachusetts.
Apparently he was a recruiting officer and was in the plane for a ride along. That didn’t pan out as planned… 👀#rural #F15 #USAF #AirForce #Fail #westfield… pic.twitter.com/KqQLYIIXeS
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) August 17, 2025
The airman landed safely on nearby grass while the jet briefly paused before continuing along the taxiway. Emergency crews responded immediately. Flight operations at Barnes were paused for 36 hours after the mishap.
The passenger, identified by media reports as a recruiting officer, was evaluated at a hospital and released without serious injuries, according to the wing.
The incident reportedly occurred during an incentive flight, a program that allows non-pilot service members to fly in operational aircraft.
The 104th Fighter Wing, stationed at Westfield Barnes Regional Airport, operates F-15 Eagle aircraft, including the two-seat F-15D. These jets are used for training and ride-along flights. The wing is currently transitioning to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, a more advanced multirole fighter built for modern combat missions.
