A military aircraft crashed and caught fire near Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico, injuring the sole occupant, the pilot. The pilot ejected and was found conscious, but was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
Albuquerque, N.M. – A military aircraft crashed in a fiery incident near Albuquerque International Sunport on Tuesday afternoon, injuring the pilot who was the sole occupant.
Airport officials said the aircraft crashed near the airfield on the south side of the airport, close to Kirtland Air Force Base.
Video footage of the crash scene appeared to show a military fighter jet, though the exact type of plane has not been officially confirmed.
The pilot ejected from the aircraft and was found conscious. He was transported to a hospital with serious injuries, but officials did not provide any further details about his condition.
Two civilians were also on the scene at the time of the crash and were assessed by medical personnel, but neither required hospitalization.
Albuquerque fire officials received reports of a possible aircraft down around 2 p.m. local time and quickly dispatched first responders to the scene.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, while search and rescue teams located the pilot and began providing medical aid.
Flight operations at the airport were temporarily suspended while emergency crews attended to the incident. Nearby roads, including Rio Bravo and University, were closed as well.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller expressed gratitude for the rapid response of first responders and offered prayers for the pilot's recovery.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Kirtland Air Force Base for further comment.
Kirtland Air Force Base is a major military installation that conducts nuclear operations and trains and equips expeditionary forces. It is also home to the Air Force Research Laboratory.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dispatched a team of investigators to the scene to determine the cause of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also expected to participate in the investigation.
The crash serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with military aviation operations.
The safety of military pilots and ground crews is paramount, and investigations will aim to identify any factors that may have contributed to the incident in order to prevent similar accidents in the future.
