F-16 fighter jet from Luke Air Force Base crashes in northwestern Arizona

An airman from the 113th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepares an F-16 Fighting Falcon for flight. Photo by Senior Airman Perry Aston.

BAGDAD, Ariz. (AP) — The latest developments in the crash of an F-16 fighter in northwestern Arizona. (All times local):

11:15 a.m.

The Air Force says an F-16 fighter has crashed in northwestern Arizona, and state and county agencies are sending aircraft and personnel to the area.

Luke Air Force Base officials say the jet from the Phoenix-area base crashed Thursday in a military operations area near Bagdad in Yavapai County. There’s no word on the pilot’s condition or cause of the crash.

Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Quentin Mehr says the department is sending troopers, a rescue helicopter and explosive ordinance and hazardous material teams.

Yavapai County sheriff’s spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Air Force and sent a helicopter to the area.

Sean Kauffman, of the Williamson Valley-Bagdad Fire District, says fire officials were told the crash occurred about 10 miles southwest of Bagdad.

10:45 a.m.

BAGDAD, Ariz. (AP) — Officials say an F-16 fighter jet from Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix has crashed in northwestern Arizona.

There’s no immediate word on the condition of the pilot after the crash Thursday in a military operations area near Bagdad in Yavapai County.

Luke officials said the jet was assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing.

Bagdad is about 85 miles northwest of the base located in suburban Glendale.

Luke spokeswoman 1st Lt. Tanya Wren said the cause of the crash isn’t known and no other information was immediately available.

Yavapai County sheriff’s spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Air Force and has a helicopter looking for the crash site but hasn’t found it yet.

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