F-16 crashes in Nevada desert

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2000 | 8:58 a.m.

An F-16 jet crashed 70 miles north of Nellis Air Force Base on Tuesday after it apparently nipped another jet while on a routine training exercise.

The pilot, who was not identified, ejected and was not seriously injured, base spokesman Lt. Allan Herritage said.

The plane crashed about 5 p.m. atop a mesa in a remote desert area, Herritage said. He said there were no populated areas near the crash site.

Another F-16 landed a short time later with minor damage to its structure, leading investigators to speculate the two planes struck each other in midair, Herritage said.

The Air Force is investigating the crash.

The extent of damage to the second plane was not released, but Herritage said the pilot was able to fly back to Nellis and land. That pilot was not hurt.

A helicopter crew was dispatched to rescue the downed pilot, who suffered scrapes and bruises.

He was hospitalized for observation and later released, Herritage said.

Neither plane was armed, he added.

It was the second jet crash in a week for the air base. An F-15 crashed north of Rachel, Nev., on Thursday while the pilot was leading seven other planes in a training exercise.

The pilot, Capt. Christopher Kirby, ejected and was not injured.

That plane crashed into a dry lake bed near Rachel, 125 miles north of Las Vegas. The cause of that crash is still under investigation.