The F-16 crash occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. during routine training on the Nevada Test and Training Range
A U.S. Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet crashed on Apr. 4, 2018, at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Las Vegas.
According to the service news release, “a Thunderbirds pilot was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed over the Nevada Test and Training Range today at approximately 10:30 a.m. during a routine aerial demonstration training flight. The identity of the pilot is being withheld for 24-hours pending next of kin notification. An investigation is being conducted into the cause of the mishap.
The team’s participation at the March Air Reserve Base “The March Field Air & Space Expo” has been canceled. It is unknown how this accident will impact the remainder of the 2018 Thunderbirds Season.”
As reported by FoxNews, the USAF previously stated that “Emergency responders are on the scene. As soon as additional details become available, they will be provided. The accident is under investigation.”
The incident marks the third crash of a U.S. military aircraft since Tuesday, when a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed during exercises along the U.S.-Mexico border in California, killing four crew members.
Also on Tuesday, a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jet crashed in the East African nation of Djibouti during a training exercise. The pilot ejected and is currently in “stable condition.”
Photo by Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr. / U.S. Air Force