Pilot Reportedly Ejects Safely

The pilot of a USAF F-15C is reportedly in good condition after he ejected from his aircraft while on a mission out of Nellis AFB near Las Vegas, according to the Air Force. It was the third mishap involving aircraft from Nellis since December -- the second in a week.

KLAS-TV reports the Eagle (file photo of type, above) was on a mission not related to the Red Flag war games currently underway at Nellis. The pilot, whose name and rank haven't yet been released, reportedly waited at the crash site for 45-minutes before rescuers arrived. He was hospitalized as a precaution, according to military officials.

"Anytime you lose any aircraft we're all ultimately concerned so that we can prevent any future instance from happening," Brig. Gen. Greg Ihde told the Las Vegas TV station.

It was the second aircraft down at Nellis in a week's time. March 18th, an F-16 went down alongside a road near Nellis (right). The pilot, an instructor, safely ejected after trying to return to the runway at Nellis and realizing that he wasn't going to make it.

The Air Force suffered its first operational F/A-22 Raptor crash back in December. The pilot in that mishap was seen shortly afterwards, "walking around the crash site," apparently in good condition.

FMI: www.af.mil