Shaw Air Force Base Crash: F-16 Aircraft With Pilot On Board Crashes During Routine Training Mission

UPDATE: 5 a.m. EDT - In a statement, the Shaw Air Force Base confirmed that the pilot of the F-16CM that crashed during a routine training mission was pronounced dead.

"The name of the pilot is being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification. Out of respect and consideration for the family, we ask for your patience and to avoid speculation until we release more information," the statement said.

Original story:

A U.S. Air Force F-16CM Fighting Falcon with one pilot on board crashed during a routine training mission at the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina on Tuesday (June 30).

Confirming the incident, the airbase stated that the incident took place Tuesday night and the jet was assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing.

“A U.S. Air Force F-16CM Fighting Falcon assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. crashed at approximately 2330 yesterday, June 30, 2020, here on base. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board,” a statement posted on the base’s official Facebook page said.

Emergency responders were on the scene and the cause of the crash was under investigation. The condition of the pilot was also not known, however, he was reportedly taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, photos doing the rounds on social media showed the aircraft ablaze and emergency crews on the runway.

This is a developing story.