Two F-16 Fighting Falcons
from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, fly over Europe on
March 20, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christine
Griffiths)
An F-16 fighter jet, of the Air Force’s Thunderbirds flying team, reportedly crashed just minutes after an air demonstration above the Air Force Academy’s graduation in Colorado Springs, Colo.
President Obama spoke at the graduation and was still on site at the time of the accident, according to The Associated Press.
The pilot safely ejected at about 1:15 p.m. just prior to the plane’s crash landing in a field across from a Baptist church in Widefield, Colo., according to The Gazette, citing Colorado Springs Airport officials.
The U.S. Air Combat Command confirmed the crash as well as the pilot’s safe ejection via Twitter, promising more details as they became available.
The report states that the local fire department is on scene and evaluating the pilot, who, citing the Air Force Academy, said the plane’s engine failed. The aircraft is also under investigation.
Since 2003, Air Force Academy graduation flyovers have not had a crash. The F-16s, reported The Gazette, have been conducting the demonstrations for years.
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