Engine problem blamed in Calif. F-16C crash - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Engine problem blamed in Calif. F-16C crash

An engine problem is suspected of causing the Friday crash of an F-16C Fighting Falcon in California, according to an Air Force report.

The unidentified pilot of the jet, who safely ejected, was assigned to the California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno, Calif.

According to wing vice commander Col. Ryan Orian, the lost Falcon was part of five-ship training formation when the pilot reported a problem at about 10:30 a.m. The colonel declined to say what the problem was, but an Air Force report said engine difficulties led to the pilot’s ejection decision.

The pilot, who has more than 2,000 hours in fighters, was able to steer the jet to an unpopulated area near Owens Lake in eastern California before bailing out. A rescue team from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake picked up the flier.