F-117 Vega 31 shot down over cornfield near Budjanovci
By The BriefBrief
An F-117A Nighthawk with the call sign Vega 31 lifted off from Aviano on 27 March 1999 and was brought down over a cornfield near Budjanovci during NATO’s air campaign over Yugoslavia. The aircraft was hit by two Isayev S-125 missiles fired by the 3rd Battalion of the Yugoslav Army’s 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade; the pilot ejected and was recovered about eight hours later.
WHO:3rd Battalion of the Yugoslav Army’s 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade
WHAT:An F-117A Nighthawk (Vega 31) was brought down by two S-125 missiles; the pilot ejected and was later recovered.
WHEN:Reported Sep 10, 2026 at 7:43 PM ET
WHERE:near Budjanovci
WHY:The aircraft was brought down by enemy air-defense missiles fired during NATO’s air campaign.
