The body of an American pilot has been found after his fighter jet crashed into the North Sea, off the coast of northern England, the US Air Force said on Monday.
The fighter was on a training exercise when it dived into the North Sea at 9.40am off Flamborough, near Hull.
The US Air Force said the incident was a “tragic loss”. The force sent its condolences to the pilot’s family.
Rescue crews found the aircraft wreckage hours after the crash.
In a video, Col Will Marshall, Commander of the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath, said the cause of the crash was unknown.
The aircraft had taken off from the base in Suffolk.
A @usairforce F-15C Eagle crashed at approximately 0940 today in the North Sea. The aircraft was from the 48th Fighter Wing, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board. https://t.co/1Psg3N1JCz
— RAF Lakenheath (@48FighterWing) June 15, 2020
"At the time of the accident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board," the US Air Force said.
"The cause of the crash as well as the status of the pilot are unknown at this time and UK Search and Rescue have been called to support."
The UK coastguard launched a major operation. Boats were sent from Bridlington and Scarborough.
The coastguard is co-ordinating the response and said the craft went into the sea 74 nautical miles off Flamborough Head.
"The HM Coastguard helicopter from Humberside has been sent along with Bridlington and Scarborough lifeboats," it said.
"Following a Mayday broadcast by HM Coastguard, other vessels near by are heading to the area.
"It’s believed the aircraft had one person on board. We have no further information at this time."
My thoughts are with our friends @usairforce and all those at RAF Lakenheath at this time. HM Coastguard assisting and all of us at @DefenceHQ stand ready to support our allies @USAmbUK
— Rt. Hon Ben Wallace MP (@BWallaceMP) June 15, 2020
The 48th Fighter Wing, which has almost 6,000 military personnel, is the US Air Force's only F-15 fighter wing based in Europe.
