Gripen Fighter Jet Prototype Crashes During Landing

First Gripen Prototype Crashes

We’ve all seen our fair share of rough and rocky landings – and so did this Gripen pilot.

Operated by Lars Rådeström, this Gripen was caught “wobbling” on its way down during a landing. The Gripen swung left and right, almost uncontrollably, until it reached the ground with extreme force.

With a crash like that, you’d at least expect severe injuries from the pilot. Fortunately, Lars managed to remain in the tumbling Gripen and escaped with only a fractured elbow and some minor injuries.

The crash was said to be a result of “pilot-induced oscillation”, which was exacerbated by extremely gusty winds that day.

It would later be pinned on a software malfunction, which was highly likely since Rådeström was operating the first prototype JAS 39-1 of the Gipen when attempting to land at Linkoping.