TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Airman Dies in Collision During Training

ADVERTISEMENT

Jason Odra, TBO.com

Published: February 20, 2008

An Air Force fighter pilot died Wednesday after his plane and another likely collided and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico during a training exercise.

A Coast Guard rescue jet located one pilot and radioed the location to a fishing vessel, which picked him up, said Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless.

A Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Clearwater hoisted the pilot off the vessel.

The two single-seat F-15C Eagles crashed Wednesday afternoon off the Florida Panhandle, about 35 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base during an exercise "emphasizing basic maneuvers and tactics," said Col. Todd Harmer, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squadron.

The Air Force will investigate, Harmer said. Weather in the area was clear.

The names of the pilots haven't been released pending notification of relatives. The surviving pilot was listed in good condition.

Harmer said in an e-mail statement announcing the death that Eglin Air Force Base had suffered a "great loss."

"We will continue to do everything we can to assist our families and Airmen at this tragic time," he said.

Both pilots had been with the wing "for quite some time," Harmer said.

More than 60 Coast Guard personnel had been involved in the search using multiple helicopters, cutters and jets, said Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless.

Air Force officials are investigating the cause of the accident.

The Air Force grounded all of its F-15s, nearly 700, after the catastrophic failure of an F-15C during a routine training flight in Missouri in November. The pilot safely ejected.

Most were back in service by January, but others were grounded indefinitely after defects were found.

"The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. The weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat," according to its description on an Air Force Web site.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT