Here's another sad news of a plane crash: an F-15C Massachusetts Air National Guard pilot has died after his fighter jet crashed in Virginia.
We've been hearing a number of planes crashing but similar to the search for the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, this is challenging because crash site is a remote place in the Shenandoah Valley. The site is situated in a heavily wooded area so the rescuers are having difficulties according to Barnes Air National Guard Base's commanding officer, Colonel James Keefe.
A search and rescue operation has been deployed to look for the plane that was due to receive a system upgrade near the West Virginia border. A new HC-130 aircraft was added to the operations to help find the unnamed missing pilot. This special aircraft was especially designed for nighttime and low-light search operations.
On Thursday, military officials confirmed that the pilot has died during the crash.
"This is a devastating day for the family of our deceased pilot and the members of the 104th Fighter Wing," Col. James Keefe of the 104th Fighter Wing said.
While some witnesses claimed they saw a parachute, the search team found evidence that the pilot was not able to eject prior to impact, leading to conclusion that the pilot did not survive. Keefe said that the Air Force might release the name of the pilot involved on Friday.
The unfortunate event happened Wednesday morning. The single-seat jet left the base at 8AM and the pilot soon reported an emergency. The jet flying at about 30,000 to 40,000 feet crashed at around 9:05AM after the radio contact was lost. Plane was supposed to land at Naval Air Station in New Orleans.
The search and rescue involved 100 members of the State Police, deputies, and other security personnel. Helicopters and other surveillance planes were deployed by the National Guard. The Civil Air Patrol also sent out its own rescue teams.
The F-15 is a very potent fighter jet that can zoom to speeds of 1,875 miles an hour and costs around $30 million each.
