Fri, Jul 01, 2011
USAF Officials Confirm Pilot Did Not Survive
Air Force officials at Nellis AFB in Nevada announced Thursday
that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence the
pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, which went down at approximately
1730 local time June 28, did not survive.
USAF File Photo
At the time of the accident, the single-seat F-16, based at
Nellis Air Force Base, was participating in a combat training
mission within military operating airspace managed by The Nevada
Test and Training Range. It crashed on Bureau of Land Management
property approximately 20 miles west of Caliente, NV. "Based on
evidence recovered from the crash site, and after extensive aerial
and ground search efforts, we know that the pilot did not eject
from the aircraft prior to impact," said Brig. Gen. T.J.
O'Shaughnessy, the 57th Wing commander. "Our thoughts and prayers
are with the pilot's immediate family, Air Force family, and
friends during this difficult time."
The name and unit of the pilot involved is being withheld
pending notification of the next-of-kin.
"We have started an investigation into this mishap; but we are
in the very early stages of this investigation," General
O'Shaughnessy said. "For the next several weeks, a trained
investigation board will focus their exclusive efforts on
collecting and protecting evidence from the scene and gathering and
analyzing all relevant data with the specific purpose of
determining the cause so we may prevent future mishaps. Nellis Air
Force Base is the busiest flying base in Air Combat Command,
producing 42,000 sorties each year. As commander of this wing, the
safety of the local community and our Airmen is my top
priority."
Additional details will be released as they become available.
Nellis Air Force Base will not release the name or unit of the
pilot involved in the mishap until 24 hours after notification of
next-of-kin is complete.
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