LOS ANGELES—A Sept. 5 accident at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) that killed a U.S. Air Force test pilot appears to have involved a foreign aircraft type operated by the service’s secretive Red Hat unit.
The fatal incident came to light when an Air Force spokesman at Nellis AFB announced that Lt. Col. Eric “Doc” Schultz died of injuries sustained in the crash of his aircraft on the range about 100 mi. northwest of the base. The spokesman said the aircraft was assigned to Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), but did not specify the type involved or the circumstances.
Given the approximate location provided by the Air Force, it appears the accident occurred midway between Groom Lake and Tonopah Test Range airfield, both of which are operated by Detachment 3, Air Force Test Center (AFTC). The site is responsible for test and evaluation of classified “black” aircraft as well as foreign types which are flown by the Red Hats for tactics assessment and dissimilar training against front line Air Force units.
Sources indicate Schultz was the Red Hats squadron commander at the time of his death. The Red Hats became an unnumbered unit within the Detachment 3, AFTC test wing after the 413th flight test squadron (formerly 6513th test squadron) was deactivated in 2004. Over recent years the unit has operated a variety of Russian-developed combat types, including the MiG-29 and several Sukhoi-developed models such as the Su-27P, one of which was recently observed flying in the vicinity.
Schultz was formerly involved in F-35 testing based at Edwards AFB, California. He was an exceptionally experienced pilot with more than 2,000 hr. flying numerous aircraft. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot’s School, Schultz had also served as director of operations and exchange officer at the Canadian Forces Flight Test Center. He also flew an F-15E fighter in more than 50 close air support combat missions in Afghanistan. In addition,
Schultz served in systems engineering for the Airborne Laser program.
Prior to his military career, Schultz was the senior scientist and business development manager at the Pratt & Whitney Seattle Aerosciences Center. He also flew as a rotary wing flight test engineer at the Naval Air Warfare Center.