File photo of a U.S. Air Force Block 40 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway/Released)
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A California Air National Guard fighter jet crashed during a routine training mission but the pilot safely ejected.
The Guard says the Fresno-based F-16C went down Thursday afternoon about 100 miles east of Fresno.
The Fresno Bee reports that the pilot was transported to a local military facility for an evaluation.
Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Drudge didn’t identify the pilot but said the pilot is a member of the Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing based in Fresno.
He says the jet was flying between 12,000 and 15,000 feet when an in-flight emergency happened and the aircraft crashed in a remote area of Inyo County.
The cause is under investigation. No other details were immediately available.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
