EL PASO COUNTY, CO – An F-16 fighter jet from the Air Force Thunderbirds flying team crashed south of Colorado Springs minutes after wrapping up an air show over the Air Force Academy graduation Thursday.
The pilot, Major Alex Turner, safely ejected. An army helicopter, supporting the Secret Service during President Obama’s visit, was one of the first to arrive on scene.
The jet crashed in a field across from First Baptist Church of Peaceful Valley in the Security/Widefield area.
The Air Force says a thorough investigation will be conducted. The plane likely won’t be removed from the crash site until today. In the meantime, all upcoming Thunderbird’ shows have been cancelled.
