F-16 Pilot Identified In Crash
Investigators Probe Cause Of Accident
POSTED: 2:12 pm MST March 14,
2008
UPDATED: 10:21 am MST March 17,
2008
PHOENIX -- The body of an F-16 fighter pilot from Luke Air Force Base who crashed of his jet during a training mission on Friday in a rugged area of western Arizona has been identified.He is 2nd Lt. David J. Mitchell, 26, of Amherst, Ohio, Air Force officials said. Mitchell was part of the 62nd Fighter Squadron, one of eight squadrons at the base."It is with deep regret that I make this announcement and I want to extend my sincerest condolences to the pilot's family," said Brigadier General Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander. "This is an exceptionally difficult time for David's family and all of Luke Air Force Base mourns this loss of this great airman."Planes equipped with night-vision equipment and all-terrain vehicles continued to search after nightfall on Friday near the rugged Buckskin Mountains.Searchers spotted the wreckage in an area accessible only by helicopter, said Mary Jo May, a spokeswoman for Luke Air Force Base.Crews searching the area found a parachute and some of the pilot's gear about 150 feet from the impact crater, May said.It took several hours before the Air Force could confirm that he had gone down with his plane.Military officials said Mitchell was conducting an air-to-air student training mission around noon on Friday when the jet crashed just south of Alamo Lake, a remote area about 80 miles northwest of Phoenix.
The cause of the crash was unknown. Mitchell was the only person on board.The single-seat jet wasn't carrying any weapons, a Luke spokeswoman said.Military officials said a board of officers would investigate the crash.Mitchell arrived at Luke for basic course student pilot training in November 2007 from the 180th Fighter Wing, Toledo Air National Guard, Ohio, according to officials.Luke, in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, is the world's largest F-16 training base. It has about 185 F-16s.In the last two years, the base has had at least two of its jets crash.A pilot ejected safely from an F-16 in April 2006 after the lone engine on the jet exploded just after takeoff from the base. The aircraft came down in a cornfield.Nearly nine months later, a two-seat F-16 that left the base crashed during a training mission at an Air Force bombing range in southwest Arizona. The pilot and instructor bailed out safely.In October 2006, an F-16 from the 62nd Fighter Squadron caught fire during takeoff. The pilot ejected safely.ELSEWHERE ON KPHO.COM: A "beer run" suspect was shot and killed by Phoenix police Friday after a short pursuit that ended when he crashed into a home. CLICK HERE for details. MORE SLIDESHOWS: From the bizarre to the tragic to late-breaking news, visit the KPHO.com slideshow section and click away! CLICK HERE for images.
The cause of the crash was unknown. Mitchell was the only person on board.The single-seat jet wasn't carrying any weapons, a Luke spokeswoman said.Military officials said a board of officers would investigate the crash.Mitchell arrived at Luke for basic course student pilot training in November 2007 from the 180th Fighter Wing, Toledo Air National Guard, Ohio, according to officials.Luke, in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, is the world's largest F-16 training base. It has about 185 F-16s.In the last two years, the base has had at least two of its jets crash.A pilot ejected safely from an F-16 in April 2006 after the lone engine on the jet exploded just after takeoff from the base. The aircraft came down in a cornfield.Nearly nine months later, a two-seat F-16 that left the base crashed during a training mission at an Air Force bombing range in southwest Arizona. The pilot and instructor bailed out safely.In October 2006, an F-16 from the 62nd Fighter Squadron caught fire during takeoff. The pilot ejected safely.
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