WASHINGTON — A National Guard fighter jet experienced mechanical problems just a few minutes after taking off from Joint Base Andrews and crashed before the pilot could return to the base Wednesday morning, guard officials said.
The pilot, whose name was not released, was on a training mission with three other F-16 jets when the plane crashed, narrowly missing a cluster of homes off Temple Hill Road about 9:15 a.m. He was taken to the base for medical treatment of minor injuries and later released. The National Guard pilot, who has flown with 121st Fighter Squadron for about a year, was said to be in good spirits.
The pilot ditched fuel tanks in an effort to keep the F-16C aloft and maneuvered to a wooded area about 6 miles from the base in Prince George’s County trying to avoid the densely populated area below, said Brig. Gen. George Degnon, who serves as the acting adjutant general for the D.C. National Guard.
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