The pilot of an Air Force F-16CM Fighting Falcon was killed following a crash late Tuesday at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
The jet, which was assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing and had only the pilot on board, crashed at approximately 11:30 p.m., according to a statement posted after midnight Wednesday on the base’s official Facebook page.
The pilot’s name is being withheld until 24 hours after family is notified, according to a later statement announcing the death.
“We ask for your patience and to avoid speculation until we release more information,” the statement said.
Smartphone video posted to a popular Air Force social media page purported to show the aircraft ablaze as emergency workers responded to the accident.
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