April 22, 1998 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
A New Mexico Air National Guard F-16C fighter plane crashed into rugged terrain during a training mission, killing the pilot. Two other pilots flying in the same training exercise Wednesday night saw the crash and a fireball.
The $25 million, single-seat plane crashed about 15 miles west ofCarrizozo. A ground crew found the wreckage early Thursday and the remains of Lt. Patrick Potter, 29, of Albuquerque.
The cause of the crash was unknown and an Air Force team will investigate. The F-16 "Fighting Falcons" assigned to the Guard's 150th Fighter Wing routinely fly training missions over the southern New Mexico missile range.
