Columbus AFB pilot killed in general aviation crash

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  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  An instructor pilot assigned to Columbus Air Force Base died in a general aviation plane crash Sunday night at approximately 6:30 p.m. near Abilene Regional Airport, Texas.

The pilot, United States Air Force Maj. Richard W. Schafer III, 35, and his brother, were pronounced dead by local authorities. Two other passengers were transported to a local hospital.

Schafer was flying his private aircraft, licensed in Mississippi, while on vacation with his family in Texas. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Schafer was a decorated combat pilot who earned three Air Medals and had over 445 combat hours in tours supporting operations in the Persian Gulf region. Overall, Schafer had a total of 2,385 flight hours. He had 1,200 hours in the T-38 Talon as an instructor pilot, Standardization Evaluation Flight Examiner, and Functional Check Flight pilot. In addition, he had 864 hours and was a 4-Ship Flight Lead Qualified Pilot in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Schafer served as the 49th Fighter Training Squadron Chief of Standards/Evaluations. This was his second assignment to Columbus AFB; he served both tours as an instructor pilot teaching student pilots who had recently graduated from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training how to fly fighter jets.

"This is a tragic event that affects not only the 14th Flying Training Wing, but our community partners both here and in Abilene," reflects Col. John Nichols, Commander, 14th Flying Training Wing. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Major Schafer's family as they cope with this painful tragedy."

Additional details will be provided as soon as they become available from the NTSB.