1 dead 1 hurt in California U-2 crash

Thứ Tư, 21/09/2016, 07:58
US- One pilot died and another was injured Tuesday when an Air Force U-2 Dragon Lady crashed shortly after takeoff in northern California, the U.S. Air Force said.
The crash occurred about 9:05 a.m. north of Sacramento in Sutter County; TV images showed a brush fire.

The aircraft had been assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, east of Marysville, and was on a training mission.

The pilots ejected from the aircraft. The incident is under investigation.

People told the station's Mike Luery they saw two parachutes carrying people and a third with equipment

The U-2 Dragon Lady "provides high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance, day or night, in direct support of U.S. and allied forces," according to an Air Force fact sheet.

Beale is the home of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and houses the U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft.

In 1996, a U-2 plane from Beale "crashed into the parking lot of the Oroville Mercury Register after declaring an inflight emergency 15 minutes after take off," KCRA reported. A pilot ejected before the crash and was found dead. A civilian also died


CNN