BREAKING:F-16 jet crashes. Homes evacuated miles from Washington

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.

One pilot ejected from the plane and parachuted down. He was picked up by a military helicopter and taken to hospital and is believed to be safe.

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.

The pilot was on a training mission for the 113th Wing.

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.

 

Source: F-16 jet crashes near Joint Base Andrews  | Daily Mail Online