U-2 Crashes In California, Pilot Killed

0

via Twitter

A U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane crashed Tuesday near Sacramento, California, about 9:05 a.m. local time while on a training mission. Both pilots on board ejected, and late on Tuesday, local KCRA News reported that one pilot was killed and the second pilot was hurt, according to officials at Beale Air Force Base. The wreckage, in an open rural area near the Sutter Buttes mountain range, caught fire and sent a plume of black smoke into the sky. Initially, USAF officials said the two pilots were safe, but a few hours later they said in a tweet that “there is no official confirmation of status of U-2 pilots.” One eyewitness told local KCRA3 News that he saw three parachutes after the plane crashed — two with people, and one with equipment.

The Cold-War-era U-2 aircraft, known as “Dragon Lady,” provides high-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance for the U.S. forces. It’s capable of cruising at altitudes up to 70,000 feet. It was part of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale.

U2 file photo/USAF

LEAVE A REPLY