Officials confirmed Thursday the pilot
of a F-15C Eagle was fatally injured when his jet crashed near
Deerfield Valley, Va., on Wednesday.
The pilot's name is being withheld pending notification of family members and will be released when appropriate.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we are doing all we can to support them during this very difficult time," said Air Force Col. James Keefe, commander, 104th Fighter Wing. "We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the family and allow them the time they need to grieve.”
An official safety board is being convened and the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Background
At approximately 9:05 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Washington Center Air Traffic Control in Washington, D.C. lost radio contact with the F-15C aircraft stationed at the 104th Fighter Wing, Mass., and at approximately 9:30 a.m. the 104th Fighter Wing learned that the aircraft had crashed in a remote site near Deerfield Valley, Va.
The single seat F-15C aircraft was en
route to Naval Air Station New Orleans to receive a radar system
upgrade. There were no munitions on the aircraft during this flight.
The pilot was flying a solo mission when he reported an in-flight
emergency prior to the loss of radio contact with Washington Center.
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