http://www.austin360.com/shared-cgi/stories/show.cgi?id=aponline-menus-data/Washington.AP.V0238.AP-BRF-F-16-Crash.story&menu=Washington.html

Air Force Jet Crashes in Arizona

YUMA, Ariz. (AP)--An Air Force F-16 crashed Wednesday during a training mission over the Barry M. Goldwater bombing range in southwestern Arizona. The pilot ejected safely.

The F-16, out of Luke Air Force Base, was flying an air-to-air training mission as part of a four-jet formation. Before the start of an aerial engagement, the pilot, Maj. Anthony Barrell, said he had a problem and turned the jet toward the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field to recover, a base spokesman said. He ejected en route to Gila Bend.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

It was the eighth crash since fall 1998 involving a jet flying a mission out of the base in Glendale, west of Phoenix.

The $20 million jet was part of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke, which is the world's largest F-16 training base.

AP-NY-02-16-00 2248EST

-- boop (leafyspurge@hotmail.com), February 16, 2000

Answers

$20 million! Man, the cost of Y2K just keeps going up, an up, and up...

-- Hawk (flyin@high.again), February 17, 2000.

HAWK, What indications do you know of that are present in this air crash that would cause you to say, "$20 million! Man, the cost of Y2K just keeps going up, an up, and up... "?

Is there a follow up on this available?

One thing I can say, I can't remember anytime in the last fifty years that I have been around that we have lost so many aircraft to crashes other than the war(s).

Something up! I hope we can get to the bottom of it...soon!!! BRyan

-- S BRyan G III (sbrg3@juno.com), February 17, 2000.

I might add that mismanagement of the military by the Clinton administration has prompted an exodus of highly trained personnel from all branches of the military, which is well known. With budget cuts and other military misadventures, I think you'll find that the spare parts inventory is low. In short, regular aircraft maintenance is not being done properly and/or on time.

-- Chris Tisone (c_tisone@hotmail.com), February 17, 2000.

I would hope that those gallant individuals who have exited the military under the current administration and who continue to do so, are joining together covertly.

-- turkeylurkey (lurker@lurking.com), February 17, 2000.

You better believe it, turkeylurkey.

-- Haven't Forgotten (The@Constitution.com), February 17, 2000.