Fate of Iraqi pilot unknown in Arizona military plane crash

“We have no word yet on his fate or the reason behind the crash,” Brig. Gen. Tahseen Ibrahim told The Associated Press.

Arizona Fighter Jet Seemed to “Fall Out of the Sky” Before Exploding  http://t.co/hXNqLcmLLe pic.twitter.com/HukW5DReMR
— Eric Kaestner (@Eric_Kaestner) June 25, 2015

DOUGLAS — An Iraqi pilot who has been training in the United States for four years was flying an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft that crashed in Arizona, a spokesman for the Iraqi defense minister said Thursday.
“We have no word yet on his fate or the reason behind the crash,” Brig. Gen. Tahseen Ibrahim told The Associated Press. “We are in contact with the Americans to get more details.”
The Arizona Air National Guard did not release information about the pilot, who was the only person aboard when the plane went down during a Wednesday night training mission.
Rescuers were sent to the crash site, according to a Guard statement.
The plane ruptured a gas line and sparked a fire, police spokeswoman Carol Capas told the Arizona Daily Star. Once the flames are extinguished, officials will assess the damage.
The Guard conducts international F-16 pilot training as well as reconnaissance missions, according to its website.
Base officials did not immediately have more information.