Military aircraft crashes, catches fire near New Mexico airport
Airport officials said one person was onboard the aircraft and is conscious. Credit: KQRE
A military aircraft crashed and caught fire near Albuquerque International Sunport and Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon, airport officials said.
ABQ Sunport said the aircraft crashed near the airfield on the south side of the airport. Spokesperson Diana Lopez said Kirtland Air Force Base was leading the investigation into the crash.
Video taken of the crash scene appeared to show a military fighter jet, but the exact type of plane has not yet been confirmed by authorities.
One occupant, the pilot, was onboard the aircraft and ejected.
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A military aircraft crashed near ABQ Sunport Tuesday afternoon. (KQRE)
Albuquerque fire officials received reports of a possible aircraft down around 2 p.m. local time. First responders arrived on scene to begin searching for the pilot and begin "fire suppression efforts."
Fire officials say they received reports of a down aircraft around 2 p.m. (KRQE)
The pilot was found conscious and taken to a hospital with "serious injuries," fire officials said.
Two other civilians were on scene and assessed, but neither required being transported to the hospital.
Fire officials arrived on scene and worked to extinguish the flames. (KRQE)
Flight operations at the airport have resumed. Rio Bravo and University were shut down and fire officials were urging people to avoid the area.
"Grateful for the rapid action of the first responders who arrived to the scene," Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said. "Praying for the pilot."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Kirtland Air Force Base for further comment.
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Kirtland Air Force Base is home to the 377th Air Base Wing, which conducts nuclear operations and trains and equips expeditionary forces. It's also home to the Air Force Research Laboratory.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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