Since the Air Force began flying the F-15 in the 1970s, there have been 160 Class-A mishaps - the term used by the service to describe its most deadly and costliest crashes - and a total of 45 pilot deaths, according to the latest data available from the Air Force Safety Center. The F-15C/D jets are slowly being retired and will eventually be replaced by the new F-15EX models.

Absorbent booms are seen surrounding the aircraft as 'a precaution against the leakage of fuel or other substances,' the image caption reads.Īn Air Force fact sheet says the F-15C/D models cost roughly $30 million each and states there are around 250 of the jets in the service's inventory.

But a photograph of the incident shows the majority of the fighter jet submerged in water, with the nose cone buried in dirt on the shore of the canal. The Air Force has not given details on the scope of the damage, citing an ongoing investigation. 'We don't believe the aircraft is leaking any petroleum products based on our initial assessment of the water in the canal,' Lambert said. Base officials are also examining whether jet fuel leaked into the canal. Local and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Reclamation, are assisting with the mishap. 'Our Team Kingsley responders acted quickly and with professionalism thanks to the extensive training and safety mindset of our team.'Īn investigation into what caused the crash has already started, base officials said. Micah Lambert, 173rd Fighter Wing vice commander, said in the release.

'We are so grateful that our pilot was able to walk away from this mishap,' Col.

Journey Into Mexico by Alex Grand