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F-16 crashes near Andrews AFB in Washington DC; pilot ok
April 5, 2017 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
An F-16C that was on a training mission crashed in an unpopulated area near Andrews AFB in Maryland this morning.
The pilot ejected safely before the jet went down about six miles southwest of the base. He was part of a four-ship F-16 formation.
The F-16 belonged to the 113th Fighter Wing of the D.C. Air National Guard, which is assigned to Joint Base Andrews.
Large portions of the jet, including a wing and the fuselage, were found intact after the crash. There are no reports of injuries on the ground.
Officials say the pilot did everything he could before ejecting himself from the plane. Before ejecting, the pilot moved to a wooded area to ensure the public's safety.
The pilot was flown to the base medical center, treated and shortly after that released.
Known as the "Capital Guardians," the 113th Fighter Wing is charged with defending the nation's Capital and also provides fighter, airlift and support forces capable of local, national and global employment. Since 9/11, there is always at least one F-16 on eight minute alert status to take off in the case of emergency.
Wednesday's incident marked the sixth U.S. military non-combat aviation crashes since January 2017.
USAF F-16C block 30 #85-1481 from the 121st FS flies over the skies of D.C. during a routine training mission at Joint Base Andrews. [USAF photo]
The F-16 belonged to the 113th Fighter Wing of the D.C. Air National Guard, which is assigned to Joint Base Andrews.
Large portions of the jet, including a wing and the fuselage, were found intact after the crash. There are no reports of injuries on the ground.
Officials say the pilot did everything he could before ejecting himself from the plane. Before ejecting, the pilot moved to a wooded area to ensure the public's safety.
The pilot was flown to the base medical center, treated and shortly after that released.
Known as the "Capital Guardians," the 113th Fighter Wing is charged with defending the nation's Capital and also provides fighter, airlift and support forces capable of local, national and global employment. Since 9/11, there is always at least one F-16 on eight minute alert status to take off in the case of emergency.
Wednesday's incident marked the sixth U.S. military non-combat aviation crashes since January 2017.
Additional images:
USAF F-16C block 30 #86-0340 of the 121st FS is spotted intercepting a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 172 during a Fertile Keynote air defense training sortie near Patuxent River on August 28th, 2012. [Photo by Arie Church]
USAF F-16C block 30 #87-0334 from the 121st FS is seen coming into land at Nellis AFB on May 19th, 2011. [Photo by EOR]
121st FS friday patch (Jon Somerville collection)