A military aircraft crashed and caught fire near Albuquerque International Sunport and Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon, creating a tense scene and a swift response from emergency personnel.
According to ABQ Sunport officials, the aircraft went down near the airfield on the south side of the airport. Diana Lopez, a spokesperson for the airport, stated that Kirtland Air Force Base would be leading the investigation into the incident.
Video footage of the crash site appeared to show a military fighter jet, though the exact type of aircraft has yet to be confirmed by authorities. The aircraft had only one occupant, the pilot, who managed to eject before the crash.
At around 2 p.m. local time, Albuquerque fire officials received reports of a possible aircraft down. First responders promptly arrived at the scene to begin searching for the pilot and initiating fire suppression efforts.
The pilot was found conscious and was taken to a hospital with "serious injuries," as reported by fire officials. Fortunately, two other civilians who were at the scene were assessed and did not require transportation to the hospital.
Following the incident, flight operations at the airport resumed, though Rio Bravo and University roads were shut down temporarily. Fire officials urged people to avoid the area to facilitate the ongoing emergency response.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller expressed his gratitude for the rapid response of the first responders, stating, "Grateful for the rapid action of the first responders who arrived at the scene. Praying for the pilot."
Fox News Digital reached out to Kirtland Air Force Base for further comments. The base is home to the 377th Air Base Wing, which is responsible for conducting nuclear operations and training and equipping expeditionary forces. It also hosts the Air Force Research Laboratory.
As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on understanding the cause of the crash and ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future. The quick action by emergency personnel undoubtedly helped to control the situation and ensure that further harm was minimized.
An F-35 Fighter jet has crashed into a hillside in New Mexico.
The fighter jet went down near International Sunport in Albuquerque while travelling to an Air Force base in California.
The pilot, survived the crash but was seriously injured, according to officials. pic.twitter.com/HvUFfknFbe
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