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13 EFS F-16 crashes in Iraq - Pilot unhurt

July 15, 2007 (by Asif Shamim) - A U.S. F-16C block 50 from the 13th EFS deployed with the 332nd AEW crashed during takeoff at 16.55h from Balad Airbase on Sunday. Officials said the pilot was uninjured after ejecting.

F-16C #92-3901 suspected to be the aircraft lost in Iraq on July 15, 2007 photographed years earlier landing.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, the military said in a statement.

The F-16 was taking off for a combat mission, to provide air support to troops on the ground fighting militants, when it crashed at Balad Air Base, 50 miles north of Baghdad.

The aircraft crashed near the runway and the resulting fire was extinguished by Air Force firefighters from the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and Army firefighters from the 60th Ordnance Detachment, 1034th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

The pilot of the single-seat aircraft ejected safely and was taken to be evaluated by doctors and discharged.

At this time the aircraft is identified as F-16C #92-3901.

Balad is the main air base for the U.S. military in Iraq.


Additional images:

USAF F-16C block 50 #92-3901 from the 13th FS has been marked with 35FW titles for years now. It is spotted at Misawa AB. [JASDF photo]