4-30-2024 3:07pm

F-16 Crashes Near Holloman AFB Near Hwy 70, 33 F-16s In Mishaps Since 2010

Chris Edwards Editor

An F-16 military jet crashed near Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon, a U.S. official confirmed to AlamogordoTownNews.com

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 49th Wing crashed west of Holloman Air Force base. The sole pilot on board successfully ejected and was transported by ambulance for medical care. The crash happened at about 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, Holloman officials said.

Later that evening, officials said in a release that the pilot was in good condition and had been released from a local hospital

The wing commander, Col. Justin Spears, thanked a long list of agencies including local and state police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and a U.S. Army Air Flight Detachment for helping out.

“They were vital in the response efforts,” he said in a statement. “On days like today, we are incredibly proud to be part of this amazing community.”

According to the Holloman base press office, situational response teams responded to the scene using the entrance road at White Sands National Park. The park is open but certain areas are currently closed off to the public to allow for emergency crews. All non-emergency personnel should avoid the area to prevent possible exposure to hazardous chemicals onboard the aircraft, officials said.

An investigation conducted by a board of “qualified officers” is underway to determine the cause of the crash per the Holloman press office spokesperson.

Holloman AFB is home to the 54th Fighter Group that is assigned to the 49th Wing of the Air Education and Training Command. The 54th Fighter Group operates a significant F-16 school that teaches tactics and operations to pilots from other locations.

Highway 70 near where the crash occurred is the major two-lane road leading northeast/southwest through the region. The White Sands National Park is located approximately 10 miles southwest of Holloman AFB, which lies southwest of the city of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

This crash adds to 4 F16 crashes that have occurred this year. Following a third crash of a U.S. Air Force F-16 in South Korea in nine months on Jan. 31, the head of the 7th Air Force released a statement saying the incidents do not appear to be related.

From 2010 to 2021—the latest year for which the Air Force Safety Center has published statistics—33 F-16s have been destroyed in mishaps, or 2.75 per year. Six fighters each were destroyed in 2013 and 2015.

The F-16 has been used by around 25 military forces, with over 4,500 aircraft built. The price of the F-16 has changed over the years, with early variants selling for around $13 million and more recent variants starting at $25 to $30 million but potentially reaching $60 to $70 million with improvements.