Thunderbird F-16 crashes, flips at Dayton Air Show practice

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Thunderbird F-16 crashes, flips at Dayton Air Show practice
Published time: 23 Jun, 2017 17:37
Edited time: 23 Jun, 2017 17:55
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Thunderbird F-16 crashes, flips at Dayton Air Show practice
© U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds / Facebook
An US Air Force Thunderbird F-16 has crashed and flipped over while practicing for an air show in Dayton, Ohio. Two people are trapped inside the jet, but are reportedly not injured. The Thunderbirds are the Air Force demonstration team.
The pilot will go with CareFlight crew to the hospital, WHIO reported, citing emergency scanner traffic.

There was a “mishap” while a plane was on the ground, according to Staff Sergeant Tabatha McCarthy with the Thunderbirds public relations office.

Dayton Air Show crash, F-16 Thunderbird on its top. No fire. Two inside, one has given a thumbs up to rescuers. #DaytonAirShow

— Sandy Collins (@SandyCollins) June 23, 2017
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base dispatched a crash team and heavy rescue crew to the scene, said Penelope Reed of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Dayton. There were no immediate report of any fuel leaks from the plane.

The ejection seat is still armed, according to scanner traffic.

BREAKING: A Thunderbird F-16 has reportedly flipped over on its tail while trying to land at the @DaytonAirShow . pic.twitter.com/CbQAY4jIxH

— Airshow News (@NewsAirshow) June 23, 2017
“The aircraft is as safe as we can make it,” said fire crews on emergency scanners.

A medical helicopter was unable to respond to the scene due to heavy rainfall, WHIO reported. The rain is coming down at a rate of more than two inches (5 cm) per hour.

BREAKING: #Thunderbirds jet crashes near #ColoradoSprings after Air Force Academy graduation https://t.co/rTBLYsOjqUpic.twitter.com/ZlHpNUXDwe

— RT America (@RT_America) June 2, 2016
The 43rd annual air show begins Saturday at the Dayton International Airport. Along with the Thunderbirds, Lockheed Martin's new T-50A aircraft will be featured. A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, an F-35 Lightning II and the Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving Team will also perform. It will serve as a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid in World War II, Stars and Stripes reported.

Officials estimated more than 50,000 spectators attended the two-day event last year.