F-16 down off Florida coast

[MAKO69 186]

USAF confirm F-16 has gone down off the panhandle portion of Florida.

[+Dave 2,322]

Hopefully the pilot got out. 

[Nesher 628]

any word on the pilot? hope he's okay!

[MigBuster 2,884]

Sorry I don't think he made it - RIP 

 

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Tyndall officials are deeply saddened to report that the remains of the F-16 pilot involved in today’s tragic accident have been recovered from the Gulf of Mexico.

The name of the Airman is being withheld until 24 hours after notification of his next of kin allowing the immediate family time to notify extended family members of the accident.

Base efforts will now shift from that of a rescue mission to a recovery operation as evidence is collected to help in determining the cause of the crash. A board of qualified officers has been assembled to conduct this investigation and no additional information about the accident will be released until the investigation is complete.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of our fallen teammate as they struggle through this extremely difficult time.

[Nesher 628]

sad to hear about it... RIP.

[+Dave 2,322]

Tyndall officials have identified the F-16 pilot involved in Thursday’s crash as Mr. Matthew J. LaCourse, age 58, of Panama City Beach.

LaCourse was a Department of the Air Force Civilian Pilot assigned to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron. A native of San Antonio, TX, LaCourse graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1978, and retired as a USAF Lieutenant Colonel in 2000 with more than 22 years’ service.

Recovery operations continue to collect evidence to assist qualified officers assembled to conduct Safety and Accident investigations into the cause of this crash. There will be no further details released about this incident until these investigations are completed.

[Stratos 3,188]

S!