Fighter jet crashes in Yeongju; pilot makes emergency escape
Firefighters work to extinguish a wildfireafter a South Korean Air Force fighter jet crashes into a mountain in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of North Gyeongsang Fire Department
An F-16C fighter jet crashed near Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday, but the pilot safely ejected, the Air Force said.
The aircraft, assigned to Chungju Air Base, went down in a mountainous area near Yeongju at about 7:31 p.m. during a nighttime training exercise, according to the Air Force.
"The pilot ejected safely and has been confirmed unharmed, and no civilian damage has been reported at this time," the Air Force said in a text message to reporters.
Fire authorities located the pilot at approximately 8:10 p.m., after he became caught in a tree about 20 meters high while descending by parachute.
He was rescued around 9:48 p.m. and transported to a hospital, the Air Force said, adding that he is in good condition.
Authorities also said a wildfire sparked by the crash in the surrounding area has been fully extinguished.
The Air Force said it has formed a task force to determine the exact cause of the crash.