Search launched after US fighter jet crashes into sea off Yorkshire coast

By Sophie Wills
Published 15th Jun 2020, 18:15 BST
Updated 15th Jun 2020, 18:17 BST
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A US fighter jet has crashed off the east coast of Yorkshire into the North Sea during a training exercise, sparking a desperate search for the pilot.

A search team scrambled to find the pilot after the plane ditched into the sea this morning (Monday, June 15).

It is unclear what caused the F-15 fighter plane to crash 74 miles off Flamborough Head, but the US Air Force has confirmed that only one pilot was on board.

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It said a 'major operation' has been launched after the F-15C Eagle fighter jet from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk crashed into the sea at around 9:40am while on a training mission.

A US Air Force (USAF) F-15E Eagle fighter jet, is pictured as it prepares to land at RAF (Royal Air Force) Lakenheath on June 15, 2020. The UK Coastguard launched a search and rescue operation Monday to find the pilot of a US fighter jet that crashed during a training mission in the North Sea. The US Air Force said the F-15C Eagle went down after taking off from the RAF Lakenheath base near the town of Mildenhall in eastern England. The base is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which has operated from there since 1960 and has more than 4,500 active-duty military members. (Photo by CHRIS RADBURN / AFP)A US Air Force (USAF) F-15E Eagle fighter jet, is pictured as it prepares to land at RAF (Royal Air Force) Lakenheath on June 15, 2020. The UK Coastguard launched a search and rescue operation Monday to find the pilot of a US fighter jet that crashed during a training mission in the North Sea. The US Air Force said the F-15C Eagle went down after taking off from the RAF Lakenheath base near the town of Mildenhall in eastern England. The base is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which has operated from there since 1960 and has more than 4,500 active-duty military members. (Photo by CHRIS RADBURN / AFP)
A US Air Force (USAF) F-15E Eagle fighter jet, is pictured as it prepares to land at RAF (Royal Air Force) Lakenheath on June 15, 2020. The UK Coastguard launched a search and rescue operation Monday to find the pilot of a US fighter jet that crashed during a training mission in the North Sea. The US Air Force said the F-15C Eagle went down after taking off from the RAF Lakenheath base near the town of Mildenhall in eastern England. The base is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which has operated from there since 1960 and has more than 4,500 active-duty military members. (Photo by CHRIS RADBURN / AFP)

The HM Coastguard helicopter from Humberside Airport has been deployed as well as lifeboats from Bridlington and Scarborough.

In a statement, RAF Lakenheath said: "A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle crashed at approximately 0940 today in the North Sea

"The aircraft was from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.

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"At the time of the accident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board.

"The cause of the crash as well as the status of the pilot are unknown at this time and UK Search and Rescue have been called to support."

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: "HM Coastguard is coordinating the response after reports were received of an aeroplane going down into the sea 74 nautical miles off Flamborough Head.

"The HM Coastguard helicopter from Humberside has been sent along with Bridlington and Scarborough RNLI lifeboats.

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"Following a Mayday broadcast by HM Coastguard, other vessels nearby are heading to the area.

"It’s believed the aircraft had one person on board."

The 48th Fighter Wing is the US Air Force's only F-15 fighter wing based in Europe.

Almost 6,000 military personnel are attached to the unit.

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Related topics:YorkshireNorth SeaScarborough