F-16 fighter jet crashes at US airbase in Germany

A US F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed on Tuesday, September 22, near Spangdahlem Air Base in western Germany. The pilot ejected and sustained injuries.

The aircraft belonged to the 52nd Fighter Wing of the US Air Force, which is based at Spangdahlem. The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 pm local time, according to US military officials. After ejecting, the pilot was taken for medical treatment. Details about the nature of his injuries have not been disclosed.

Firefighters, medics, and other emergency services arrived at the crash site. By evening, the main rescue operation was completed. There have been no reports of other casualties.

The cause of the accident has not yet been determined. The US Air Force has begun an investigation and stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Spangdahlem Air Base is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and is one of the key US Air Force installations in Europe. It hosts the 52nd Fighter Wing, which supports US and NATO operations. The squadron stationed at the base has about 20 F-16 fighter jets.

This is the second US F-16 accident in less than a week. On September 17, another fighter jet of this type crashed during a training flight in Michigan. Its pilot also ejected and survived. The causes of that incident are being investigated separately.

Based on materials from: Associated Press, Financial Times