A Thunderbirds fighter jet crashed south of Colorado Springs on Thursday afternoon just after the team had performed at the Air Force Academy’s graduation. The pilot ejected safely, and no one on the ground was hurt.
The crash happened about 1 p.m., minutes after the Thunderbirds’ F-16 jets flew over President Obama and others at the ceremony.
Obama briefly met with the pilot who crashed, shaking hands with him before he departed on Air Force One. Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the president “thanked the pilot for his service,” according to a pool report.
Also Thursday, a Navy Blue Angels jet crashed near Nashville, Tenn. The Blue Angels fly F/A-18 jets. There was no immediate word on any injuries in that incident.
Benjamin Newell, spokesman for the Air Force’s Air Combat Command in Langley, Va., said the Thunderbirds crash happened as the pilot was returning to Peterson Air Force Base. He said the crash resulted from a “mishap.”
“We are unable to release the specifics at this time,” Newell said, citing an ongoing investigation.
Jeff Bohn, an Air Force spokesman, said he believe the F-16 was on final approach when it crashed a little more than 5 miles south of Peterson. The pilot radioed that he was having trouble with the jet before it crashed, officials said at a news conference.
“The aircraft did not catch fire,” Bohn said. “They are sending hazardous-materials teams in from Peterson Air Force Base and from Colorado Springs in order to ascertain the condition of the aircraft.”
Bohn said the aircraft’s relatively good condition after the crash is a testament to the pilot’s ability. The Thunderbirds said there is no hazard to the public.