US F-16 crashes at German air base, pilot ejects safely
A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed at Spangdahlem Air Base in western Germany following a training flight. The pilot ejected and is receiving medical treatment.
An F-16 fighter jet operated by the United States crashed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany's Eifel region, German broadcaster SWR reported, citing base officials.
The pilot ejected before the crash and is now receiving medical care. Further details about the pilot's condition have not been disclosed. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
German air traffic control said the crash took place following a training exercise. Residents in the surrounding area reported seeing a large plume of smoke rise from the site afterward. Firefighters and police units have been deployed to the airfield.
Two aircraft in the air
According to sources cited by SWR, two aircraft took off from the base on the afternoon of September 22, and one of them went down.
Spangdahlem Air Base hosts a squadron of roughly 20 F-16 fighter jets. Numerous US transport aircraft have also been spotted at the base in recent months.
