As reported by AZ Central on November 26, the pilot was reportedly “in good condition” when an emergency team arrived at the crash scene. However, since ejecting from a fighter jet going at high speed is a dangerous endeavor, the student pilot is being checked out by doctors.
According to Holloman Air Force Base spokesperson Arlen Ponder, the student pilot is stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in southern New Mexico and was on a training mission at the time of the crash. The student pilot was alone in the F-16 while an instructor pilot trailed him in another plane.
The fighter jet crashed about 45 miles northwest of Holloman Air Force Base over rugged terrain near Salinas Peak, the highest point of the San Andres Mountains. According to a press release by Holloman Air Force Base, “the $25 million aircraft was not carrying live munitions at the time it crashed, and was flying in restricted military airspace over White Sands Missile Range.”
Holloman Air Force Base has been receiving F-16s to be used for training missions as the Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona, is making room for F-35 jets. The F-16 fighter jet involved in Wednesday’s crash was part of the 54th Fighter Group which is under the command of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke. The cause of the F-16 fighter crash is still under investigation.
