Fighter Jet News

F-16 Fighting Falcon News

F-16C crashes off the coast of New Jersey

August 30, 2000 (by Lieven Dewitte) - A battered and bruised New Jersey Air National Guard pilot who ejected from his crippled F-16 jet fighter over the ocean here yesterday before stunned beach goers was in good condition last night after being rescued.
The pilot was on a training exercise when his engine quit over land about 15:29h. He had wanted to land the plane but decided he could not make it to a landing strip.

The pilot, with 12 years of experience flying F-16s, flew out over the ocean after the engine trouble (oil pressure) developed about 30 minutes into the exercise. Another pilot flew ahead to make sure there were no boats in the area where the F-16 hit.

It was the third U.S. crash this month involving an F-16.