SAFFORD, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Air National Guard officials say an F-16 fighter has crashed in southeastern Arizona but the fate of the pilot isn't yet known. The aircraft is based out of the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing, and the crash site is about 20 miles northwest of Safford. National Guard officials said the pilot's status is not yet known, but rescue efforts are underway. “Rescue efforts are underway and the status of the pilot is unknown at this time,” read a statement on the Facebook page of the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Wing, of which the F-16 Fighting Falcon is based out of. The Fighting Falcon unit is based at Tucson International Airport and serves as the Air National Guard’s lead F-16 pilot training unit. “The Air Force has assembled an interim safety board to investigate the incident and additional details will be provided as soon as they become available,” the 162nd Wing said in a statement Tuesday.
An Arizona Air National Guard F-16 crashes near Safford, Arizona, killing the pilot.