Belgian Fighter Jet Crashes in France, Pilot Hits Power Line
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 6:46 am
FILE - A Belgian F-16 fighter jet flies over Florennes Military Airbase, in Florennes, Belgium, May 18, 2016.
PARIS - A Belgian F-16 fighter jet crashed Thursday on a road in western France and one of its pilots is hanging from a high-voltage electricity line after his parachute got caught, according to French authorities.
No injuries have been reported, but surrounding homes have been evacuated as emergency workers try to extract the suspended pilot safely.
The plane was traveling from Belgium to a naval air base in France when it came down between the towns of Pluvigner and Landaul, in Britanny, according to a statement from the regional prefecture, or administration.
Two pilots were aboard, and both ejected before the crash. One was safely rescued but the other got stuck on the power line.
The plane itself was not armed, the statement said.
Local newspaper Le Telegramme showed images of the pilot hanging from the line, black smoke and flames rising from the area and a house it said was damaged in the crash.
A national police spokeswoman said no injuries have been reported among residents in the area. She said about 100 police have surrounded the crash site and are investigating what happened.