The U.S. Air Force confirmed Friday night that the two pilots were killed after a T-38 trainer aircraft crashed near the Montgomery Regional Airport Friday.
Marshall J. Taggart, Jr., executive airport director; said the airport was informed about the crash in an adjacent, wooded area at about 5:05 p.m.
Executive Airport Director Marshall Taggart Jr. told WSFA that no structures were hit by the plane, which crashed near a mobile home park.
BREAKING NEWS: A jet has crashed somewhere near the Montgomery Regional Airport 2 fatalities have been confirmed. pic.twitter.com/IkaK0q1DUQ
— Ashley Bowerman WSFA (@AshleyWSFA) February 20, 2021
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two pilots involved in this incident,” said Col. Seth Graham, 14th Flying Training Wing commander. “There are no words that can describe the sadness that accompanies the loss of our teammates.”
Taggart said the plane took off from Columbus, Mississippi, and was on its way to Tallahassee, Florida before crashing adjacent to the airport. The 14th Flying Training Wing is based at Columbus Air Force Base.
Commercial flight operations were not disrupted due to the crash, Taggart said.
The names of the pilots are being withheld until the families are notified.
A safety investigation board will convene to investigate. Authorities said the cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known.
The Columbus Air Force Base is home to the 14th Flying Training Wing of Air Education and Training Command’s 19th Air Force. According to the base website, the 14th FTW mission statement is “Cultivate Airmen, Create Pilots, Connect.”