Laughlin Air Force Base Crash: 1 T-38 Pilot Dead, Another Injured

A T-38 Talon Crashes In Texas: One Pilot Dead, One Injured — In this U.S. Air Force handout, a GBU-43/B bomb or Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb explodes at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 21, 2003. Getty Images / U.S. Air Force

An Air Force T-38 Talon crashed around 4 p.m. CST (5 pm EST) at the Laughlin Air Force Base in west Texas, which is approximately 14 miles northwest of the base near Spur 454 and U.S. 90 in Del Rio.

A report, published by Laughlin Air Force Base on their official website, confirmed the crash along with the death of a pilot. Another pilot involved in the crash was transferred to Val Verde Regional Medical Center in Del Rio, Texas, the report said. The name of the pilots have not been disclosed “for next of kin notification,” the Air Force Base’s official website reported.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of one of our own and the injury of another Airman during a plane crash near Del Rio, Texas. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and Airmen affected by this tragedy. https://t.co/ncyBfpZmgh
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) November 21, 2017

The whole incident was looked on by a man living near Amistad lake, according to CBS-affiliate television station licensed to San Antonio, Texas, Kens5 Eye Witness News. According to him, the plane hit a dry area in the bush and he heard a “loud boom.”

The statement released by Laughlin Air Force confirmed the cause of the crash has not been identified yet but a board of officers will be assigned to investigate into the matter. In a statement published on their official website, Laughlin Air Force Base addressed the issue, saying their first priority at the moment is to take good care of the family and friends of their airmen.

Col. Michelle Pryor, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander said, “Our biggest priority at this time is caring for the family and friends of our Airmen. We are a close-knit family, and when a tragedy like this occurs every member of the U.S. Armed Forces feels it. Our people take top priority, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security,” the statement reported.

A T-38 is a two-seat, twin jet-setter, which entered service in 1961, when it was the world’s first supersonic trainer, according to a website called Air Force technology. The article also mentioned T-38 trainers are used by the Air Education and Training Command for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training (JSUPT) or by Air Combat Command for its companion training programme.

In addition to this, the aircraft is also used by the Air Force Materiel Command to test experimental equipment.