An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., similar to the one shown here, crashed June 26, 2013, outside of the base. Both pilots ejected safely. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby)
6/27/2013 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- An F-16 fighter jet with the 309th Fighter Squadron crashed here shortly before 7 p.m. in a field just west of the base. There were two pilots on board. Both safely ejected and have been recovered. Neither pilot was injured.
The aircraft went down in a field adjacent to the base, and no damage to structures or private property has been reported.
At the time of the incident, the pilots were conducting a routine training mission. Air Force officials will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Police and fire departments from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and surrounding communities responded.
"The first responders were outstanding," said Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein, the 56th Fighter Wing commander. "An incident like this highlights the close cooperation between our Fire and Emergency Services and their counterparts in the surrounding community."
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
(Courtesy of 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)
Comments
6/28/2013 9:49:17 AM ET I don't know if it was done remotely by the baseI think it was done by the NSA
Splash, Edwards
6/28/2013 9:23:46 AM ET Shannon no the plane was not flown remotely by the base. Any Air Force pilot experiencing a problem will make every effort to divert their aircraft away from population areas before they eject even if doing so requires them to go down with their aircraft.
Kanga, Ohio
6/28/2013 8:40:38 AM ET Glad everyone is o.k.When can we acknowledge the fact all fighters are jets Why does the media...even the Luke PA shop...feel it's necessary to say fighter jetWhy not also say a C-130 propeller-driven plane...a US Navy destroyer ship...a US Army Sgt human.
Sgt Snorkle, USA
6/27/2013 11:45:40 AM ET We witnessed the crash. The whole thing. It was very scary. The worst part was watching the plane fly off alone towards houses Then the plane did a complete u-turn and flew back over us and the ejected pilots to crash in the empty farm fields. I don't know if it was done remotely by the bsse or if it was a miracle. I'm so grateful no one was hurt.
