An F-16 fighter jet crashed xi miles southwest of Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland. One person ejected from the plane and has been located by rescue crews.
BREAKING: F-16 jet crashes near Joint Base Andrews in Maryland https://t.co/1Fi5RrnGNr pic.twitter.com/TICrEBqbiJ
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) April 5, 2017
US Air Force officials told Fox News that an F-16 from DC National Guard went down south of National Harbor in Maryland near Andrews Air Force Base. The pilot inside ejected safely and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The pilot's condition is unknown.
"The pilot ejected safely in an unpopulated area. More information will be provided as it's available," a US Air Force official told Fox News. Prince George County firefighters confirmed on Twitter they were responding to a fighter jet crash in the Clinton, Maryland area.
#Breaking Photos of USAF pilot safely on the ground after F-16 crash in Clinton pic.twitter.com/BKbIYW8sj9
— Adrienne Winston (@AdrienneABC7) April 5, 2017
A witness told Fox 5 DC/WTTG that he was sitting on his porch when he heard a loud explosion. He said the jet was on fire and he saw the pilot eject.
“It was the biggest fire ball I’ve ever seen in my life,”Patrick Dotson said.
Prince George County firefighters confirmed on Twitter they were responding to a fighter jet crash in the Clinton, Maryland area.
#DEVELOPING: Piscataway Road/Rt-233 CLOSED between Tippet Road and Steed Road due to military jet crash in Clinton, Md. More info to come. pic.twitter.com/CkPhHZAJ8A
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) April 5, 2017
Since 9/11, there is always at least one F-16 on eight minute alert status to take off in the case of emergency.
He said he ran into the woods after the plane crashed and saw the pilot standing up. Dotson said the pilot asked if the neighborhood was OK because he had live rounds on board.
Dotson said there were two jets involved, but only one crashed. Air Force officials have not confirmed a second jet.