Pilot dies as US Air Force fighter jet crashes into North Sea

An F15 fighter jet landing at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, after an American fighter jet crashed into the North Sea while on a training exercise off the north-east coast of England.

The US Air Force F15C Eagle, from the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed at around 9.40am on Monday, June 15 while on a routine training exercise.

HM Coastguard said it received reports that an aircraft went into the sea 74 miles off the coast of Flamborough Head, in Yorkshire.

A search-and-rescue operation was launched, with a Coastguard helicopter and Bridlington and Scarborough RNLI lifeboats sent to the area.

The Coastguard also sent a Mayday broadcast, resulting in other vessels nearby heading there.

It was confirmed shortly before 6.30pm this evening that the pilot had died.

The name of the pilot will not be released until his family have been informed, RAF Lakenheath said.

“This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community, and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot’s family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron,” a spokesman said.

The 48th Fighter Wing, also known as Liberty Wing, said in an earlier statement: “At the time of the accident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board.

“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 F15C is a model of jet that has been used by the US Air Force since 1979.

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A senior RAF source said the aircraft has an “exceptional flight safety record”.

RAF Lakenheath is the “largest US Air Force-operated base in England and the only US air forces in Europe F15 fighter wing”, its website said.

The 48th Fighter Wing, which has operated from the base since 1960, has more than 4,500 “active-duty military members”.

Its mission statement is to “provide worldwide responsive combat air power and support”.

In October 2014, an F15D fighter jet based at RAF Lakenheath crashed in fields near Spalding in Lincolnshire.

The pilot ejected safely, suffering only minor injuries, and no-one on the ground was hurt.

A US Air Force investigation found that the crash was caused by the “angle of attack” of the aircraft and “imperfections” in the assembly of the jet’s nose cap.

In October 2015, US pilot Major Taj Sareen died when his F-18 Hornet jet crashed on farmland near RAF Lakenheath.

A subsequent investigation found the 34-year-old did not report problems with his aircraft before take-off.

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