Craig D. Button
Craig David Button | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 November 1964 |
| Died | 2 April 1997 (aged 32) Gold Dust Peak, 15 miles (24 km) SW of Vail, Colorado, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1990–1997 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 355th Fighter Wing, 12th Air Force |
Craig David Button (24 November 1964 – 2 April 1997) was a United States Air Force captain who died when he crashed a Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft under mysterious circumstances on 2 April 1997. During the incident, Button inexplicably flew hundreds of miles off-course without radio contact, appeared to maneuver purposefully and did not attempt to eject before the crash. His death is regarded as a suicide because no other hypothesis explains the events. The incident caused widespread public speculation about Button's intentions and whereabouts until the crash site was found three weeks later. The aircraft carried live bombs which have not been recovered.