WASHINGTON (AP) — An Air Force instructor pilot was killed when the ejection seat activated while the jet was still on the ground at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. The incident occurred on Monday, and the pilot succumbed to injuries at the hospital on Tuesday, the Air Force announced.

The pilot was in a T-6A Texan II, a single-engine, two-seater aircraft used as a primary trainer for Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps pilots. During a training flight, an instructor can sit in either the front or back seat, both of which are equipped with lightweight Martin-Baker ejection seats activated by a handle on the seat.

The Air Force has not released the pilot’s name, pending notification of next of kin.

In 2022, the T-6 fleet, along with hundreds of other Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps jets, was grounded after inspections revealed a potential defect with one component of the ejection seat’s cartridge actuated devices (CADs). The fleet underwent inspections, and in some cases, the CADs were replaced to ensure safety.

The tragic incident has prompted a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the unintended ejection and to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The Air Force is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards for its training programs and aircraft.

General Mark Kelly, commander of Air Education and Training Command, expressed his condolences, stating, "We are deeply saddened by this loss. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the pilot. We will thoroughly investigate this incident to understand what went wrong and to prevent it from happening again." The incident highlights the inherent risks of military training and the importance of rigorous safety protocols.