The Mysterious Disappearance of an A-10 Warthog

In April 1997, USAF pilot Craig Button’s unexpected actions and tragic death captured the attention of the nation. Flying an A-10 Thunderbolt II loaded with live munitions, Button mysteriously broke formation during a training mission and veered 800 miles off course before crashing into Colorado’s Gold Dust Peak. Decades later, his death remains shrouded in questions.

The Flight and Crash

Button’s mission began like any other routine exercise near Gila Bend, Arizona. However, as he neared the area, he unexpectedly deviated from his flight path. Observers on the ground witnessed his aircraft zigzagging across Arizona and Colorado, navigating around bad weather before ultimately crashing into a remote mountain range. His aircraft’s controlled maneuvers suggested it was still manually piloted during the flight.

Search and Recovery

Adverse weather conditions, including three feet of snow, delayed the recovery mission for weeks. It wasn’t until 20 days later that wreckage was identified on Gold Dust Peak. The challenging terrain required specialized personnel, including pararescue teams and mountain experts, to comb through the debris during the summer months.

Theories About His Death

Speculation around Button’s death ranges from personal struggles to conspiracy theories. His documented love for the mountains and previous instances of flying close to them suggest a personal connection to his flight path. Friends noted that Button had been deeply affected by a recent romantic rejection and tensions with his pacifist mother over his Air Force career. These factors have led many to theorize that his actions were deliberate and driven by emotional distress.

More outlandish theories—such as UFOs, sabotage, or a plan to bomb NORAD—have also emerged, though they lack credible evidence.

The Missing Bombs

One enduring mystery from the crash is the disappearance of the four Mk-82 bombs onboard Button’s A-10. Despite numerous reports of explosions in northern Arizona and Colorado, no physical evidence of the bombs has ever been found, leaving their fate unresolved.