http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4383016/F-16-jet-crashes-near-Joint-Base-Andrews.html
BREAKING: Homes evacuated miles from Washington, DC after F-16 jet crashes and pilot ejects near Joint Andrews Air Force base during 'routine training mission'
The plane was reported as having crashed around 9:15am in Maryland
It flew from Joint Andrews Air Force Base, which is used by Air Force One
It was part of the 113th Wing, which maintains 'safe zone' around Capitol
One man said the pilot claimed he had live ammo on board when he crashed
But the local fire department said the plane had no ammunition at all
Locals have been warned to stay away from wreckage, including chemicals
At-risk homes in the area have been evacuated; no deaths or injuries reported
The pilot, on a training mission, parachuted out and is in 'good condition'
New F-16s cost around $60m; some in the US inventory are 20-30-years old
By James Wilkinson For Dailymail.com
Published: 15:05 BST, 5 April 2017 | Updated: 17:03 BST, 5 April 2017
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Homes have been evacuated near Joint Base Andrews in Maryland after an F-16 on a training mission crashed causing a loud explosion and fire at around 9:15am Wednesday.
The plane, which was flying with others on the mission, had one pilot who ejected and parachuted down (pictured left after ejecting). He was picked up by a military helicopter and is said to be in 'good condition'.
The crash occurred six miles from the base, and just 200 yards from a residential area.
The plane was part of the DC Guard 113th Wing, NBC Washington reported - that's the same wing used to routinely patrol the skies around Washington.
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An F-16 plane crashed near Washington, DC during a training mission at 9:15am Wednesday, starting fires in areas near homes. There are also concerns about spilled chemicals
An F-16 plane crashed near Washington, DC during a training mission at 9:15am Wednesday, starting fires in areas near homes. There are also concerns about spilled chemicals
The pilot (seen after ejecting from the plane) has not been identified by the Air Force
A civilian says the pilot told him his plane had live ammunition on it when it crashed
The pilot (left and right, after ejecting from the plane) has not been identified by the Air Force. A civilian says the pilot told him his plane had live ammunition on it when it crashed
Prince George's County Fire Department said that there was no live ammunition on the plane when it crashed.
Locals said they heard rounds going off, something that officials attributed to gases within the plane igniting.
But Patrick Dotson, a former soldier who ran over to the pilot as he parachuted down, told Fox News that he heard 'rounds' of ammunition exploding.
He also said that the pilot confirmed to him that the plane had live ammo on board before he was taken away. The pilot was only concerned about the safety of civilians after the crash, he said.
An ordinance disposal vehicle was also spotted heading to the crash site by reporters.
And the Prince George's County Fire Department (PGCFD) warned locals not to touch any wreckage they might find.
'F-16 Crash - if anyone in community finds what they believe to be a part of the aircraft - do not touch/move-call @JBA_NAFW at 240-857-8685,' the tweet said.
Smoke was visible from afar. The pilot sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital by army helicopter but the cause of the crash is still unknown
Smoke was visible from afar. The pilot sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital by army helicopter but the cause of the crash is still unknown
An F-16 jet similar to this one (file photo) has crashed in Maryland, near Joint Base Andrews. Locals are being advised to evacuate before jet fuel fires reach their homes
An F-16 jet similar to this one (file photo) has crashed in Maryland, near Joint Base Andrews. Locals are being advised to evacuate before jet fuel fires reach their homes
An expert told NBC that one of the biggest concerns when an army jet crashes is the spillage of hydrazine, a colorless fluid used in the F-16's emergency power units.
The fluid is highly flammable and also toxic if not in a solution. Hazardous materials units are expected to be deployed in neighborhoods that might be affected.
Neighborhoods in the area are being taped off as a precautionary measure, officials said.
The pilot was on a training mission for the 113th Wing. It's not clear if the plane was taking off or landing.
The Wing is used, per a post-9/11 protocol, to patrol the area and intercept planes that enter a 'safe zone' around the capital.
They fly 3,000 missions a year - around ten a day - NBC reported.
Locals were warned not to touch any wreckage, but to contact authorities. There are concerns that chemicals used in the plane may be harmful
Locals were warned not to touch any wreckage, but to contact authorities. There are concerns that chemicals used in the plane may be harmful
It could take months for the investigation to conclude. There are concerns that the colorless fluid
It could take months for the investigation to conclude. There are concerns that the colorless fluid hydrazine may have spilled; it is flammable and can be highly toxic if undiluted
Those planes are scrambled from Andrews, which is used by the president to fly in and out of Washington.
Jets are so common in the area that some residents didn't even think a plane might have crashed at first. One woman said she thought it might have just been an exploding power generator.
In a statement on Twitter, the base said: 'A DC Air National Guard F-16C fighter jet, assigned to the 113th Wing, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., crashed about 9:15 a.m. today approximately six miles Southwest from JBA.
'The aircraft was flying along with other DCANG aircraft in a routine training mission in the greater Washington area.
'The aircraft carried only one pilot. The pilot ejected and sustained non-life threatening injuries.'
The cause of the crash is still unknown.
The plane went down near residential areas. No live ammo was on board but homes were evacuated due to fires from jet fuel. The plane was part of the DC Guard 113th Wing
Mark Brady from PGCFD said no injuries or deaths had been reported.
But homes in areas that may be affected by spreading fire are being approached by officials who are advising locals to evacuate.
The Clinton Grove Elementary School on Temple Hill Road is the evacuation site, local authorities said.
Fire crews were seen using a white foam to cover fires and stop them from spreading.
Locals said that their homes shook and window panes seemed like they would shatter as the plane exploded.
Many said they are used to hearing and seeing planes flying in the area, but that this was unusual because it was flying so low the ground before crashing.
It's still not known what altitude the plane was at when the pilot ejected, or whether he were able to steer the plane away from residential areas before he ejected.
However, experts told NBC that pilots will not eject from F-16s unless they cannot control the plane, and that once they eject the plane will immediately crash.
It could take months for the investigation to conclude, NBC reported.
The DC Guard 113th Wing flies around ten missions a day around DC, and is tasked with patrolling the skies around the Capitol and intercepting planes flying off their logged route
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The 113th Wing was sent out in 2005 to intercept a plane containing the Governor of Kentucky after it entered the 'safe zone' without permission.
In 2010, concerns were raised before Congress that the F-16 planes would need to be replaced within the decade, NBC said.
F-16 jets cost around $60 million each. Around 4,500 F-16s have been constructed over the past 40 years.
Some of those in the US inventory have been around for as long as 20-30 years. The US government is phasing out some - but not all - in favor of F-35s. Both are made by Lockheed Martin.
The case will be investigated only by the Air Force.
Anyone who finds a piece of the crashed aircraft is warned not to touch or move it, and to contact @JBA_NAFW at 240-857-8685.
Locals said their homes 'shook' as the plane came down, and feared their windows might shatter
Read more:
F-16 Jet Crashes Near Joint Base Andrews | NBC4 W
