A United States fighter jet crashed into the North Sea early Monday morning. Reports now confirm that the only pilot onboard was found dead.
What We Know:
- According to Col. William Marshall, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing, the F-15C Eagle was on a “routine training mission” when the flight went down at 4:30 a.m. The F-15C has been used by the US Air Force since 1979 and it is a single-seater aircraft. The flight left from the U.K. Royal Air Force station near the village of Lakenheath in Suffolk, England.
Ready to take on Monday like…#WeAreLiberty! #ReadyAF pic.twitter.com/QrwCrHp5bv
— RAF Lakenheath (@48FighterWing) June 15, 2020
- U.S. Coastguards found the plane and immediately began to recover it from the water Monday evening and rescue crews searched for the pilot. The pilot has been identified as 1st Lt. Kenneth Allen, assistant chief of weapons and tactics for the 493rd Fighter Squadron.
The pilot of the downed F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing has been located, and confirmed deceased.
This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community, and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot's family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron.https://t.co/GwCWFwImaS
— RAF Lakenheath (@48FighterWing) June 15, 2020
- A spokeswoman for HM Coastguard said a helicopter and tow lifeboats assisted in the search and rescue. Marshall issued a statement Monday saying, “The cause of the crash is unknown at this time. We’re extremely grateful for the timely response of our U.K. counterparts in support of these recovery efforts. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lt. Allen and mourn with his family and his fellow Reapers in the 493rd Fighter Squadron. The tremendous outpouring of love and support from our communities has been a ray of light in this time of darkness.”
Allen served with the 48th Fighter Wing since February and leaves behind a wife and his parents. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire U.S. Air Force family as well as Allen’s family and friends.
