Aviation News

2012-03-21

US Fighter Jet Crashes in South Korea, Pilot Safe

More articles by »
Written by: BNO News
Tags: , , ,
A US Air Force F-16

HWAYANG, South Korea – The pilot of a U.S. fighter jet ejected safely Wednesday before his aircraft crashed near a base in the western region of South Korea, military officials said. There were no injuries.

The accident happened at around noon local time when the single-seat F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft crashed into a rice field in Hwayang, a village near the Kunsan U.S. Air Force Base in Seocheon county of South Chungcheong Province. The lone pilot ejected safely before the crash.

The aircraft, which was assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan, was taking part in a routine training mission as part of an annual joint military exercise dubbed “Foal Eagle 2012” between U.S. and South Korean forces. North Korea condemned them as acts of war, but the U.S. said the exercise is meant to protect the region and maintain stability on the peninsula.

“We are grateful the pilot is safe and that no one was injured,” Col. Patrick McKenzie, 51st Fighter Wing Commander, said in a statement, adding that a board of qualified officers will investigate the crash. “Our main priority now is conducting an investigation to determine what happened.”

In late February, four U.S. service members were killed when a single-engine U.S. Air Force plane crashed about six miles (10 kilometers) from Camp Lemonnier at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport in the African nation of Djibouti.



About the Author

BNO News





 
 

 

Friday Photos: Special Liveries

This week for Friday Photos, we take a look as some of the many great photos of special liveries uploaded to the NYCAviation Photo Hangar.
by NYCAviation Staff
0

 
 

FRIDAY PHOTOS: Fantastic Photos from the NYCAviation Photo Hangar

This week for Friday Photos, we take a look at some of the best recent uploads to the NYCAviation Photo Hangar.
by NYCAviation Staff
0

 

 

SLIDESHOW: Smoke, Wings, and Noise Fill the Skies Over Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Air Show was held this past weekend at Quonset Point, and it did not disappoint. Correspondent Mark Kolanowski takes us inside the gates.
by Mark Kolanowski
0

 
 

Forecast for an Air Show: The 14th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach

The 14th annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach takes to the skies this weekend. Here's a preview of what to expect at this year's show.
by Scott Snorteland
0

 
 

PHOTOS: Checking Out The Performers At The MCAS Beaufort Airshow

Correspondent David Lilienthal visited the MCAS Beaufort Airshow last weekend and shares his photos with us.
by David Lilienthal
0