EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A U. S. Air Force F- 16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 49th Wing crashed north of Holloman Air Force base Tuesday night, April 30 near White Sands National Park, Holloman Air Force Base said in a media release.
The only captain on board safely ejected and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The accident happened at about 11: 50 a. m. Tuesday, Holloman authorities said.
White Sands National Park’s access road is being used to dispatch emergency team to the field. Although the park is available, Holloman officials said that some areas are now closed off to the public so that emergency personnel could visit them.
All non-emergency personnel should stay away from the area to prevent potential exposure to harmful substances onboard the aircraft, according to officials.
The cause of the collision is being investigated by a panel of “qualified soldiers.”
More information may be made available, according to Holloman, when they become accessible.
