Air Force plane crashes during landing at Lake Havasu airport

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — An F-16C assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing crashed Tuesday morning after the plane tried to make an emergency landing at Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport during a routine training flight, Air Force officials said.

“During landing the aircraft departed the prepared surface and the pilot ejected from the aircraft,” according to a news release from Luke Air Force Base Public Affairs office outside Phoenix.

The release said the pilot was in good condition and was transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center.

The pilot was released from the medical center Tuesday afternoon, base officials said in a news release later Tuesday.

Personnel from the base were responding to the scene Tuesday afternoon to begin recovery of the aircraft.

An interim safety investigation board has been established to conduct a full investigation.

Flying operations at the air base resumed Tuesday afternoon after pausing for several hours, the release said.

Undersheriff Ed Trafecanty said the Mohave County Sheriff’s office is providing support for those involved with the crash and its investigation.

He indicated the plane may have developed engine trouble and sought an emergency landing at the airport.