Belgium F16 crashed this morning in the Netherlands

[abbotyobs]

Very sad news, my thoughts go out to the family of the pilot.

Four Belgian planes were returning from a routine exercise manoeuvre when one F-16 crashed into the sea just off the Dutch coast. The accident happened around 11 am on Friday, close to the military exercise terrain on Vlehors.
The exact circumstances leading up to the accident are not yet known. The pilot was unable to escape using his ejector seat and was found dead by rescue workers.

The Dutch coastguard responded immediately and a large scale search was put into operation. One helicopter stationed nearby arrived on scene within 5 minutes of the incident.

Other helicopters and ships were also used in the search. A Belgian military research team has been sent out by Sea King helicopter to investigate the crash.

Debris was found some 5km off the coast of the island.

Belgium has 72 F-16s. 60 of which are reserved for NATO. The aircraft are all based at the airfields, Kleine Brogel and Florennes. The plane in question came from Florennes.


http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_master/default/english/overzicht/050909_f16/index.html:sad: :sad:

[BHPS]

Yes, very sad. Three helicopters responded very quickly to the incident which was just off the island of Vlieland, a civil SAR Super Puma and a SAR Lynx, both based at De Kooy, plus the SAR Bell 412 aircraft from Vlieland. There were also several KNRM (Dutch equivalent of the RNLI) vessels who were also on the scene very quickly.

Unfortunately not very much found on the surface.

[abbotyobs]

There is some more information on the f16.net website, all conjecture obviously.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-3925-sid-551ee94d6ca15a712d5ec6591738bc40.html

:sad:

[iakobos]

Hi,

The father of the unfortunate pilot, Commandant Fabrice Massaux (1 Sqdn/ 2nd Wing, Florennes AB) is looking for anyone whom would be in possession of pictures or any documents pertaining to his son.

e-mail or Skype me (same nickname)