A plane owned by a civilian contractor for Nellis Air Force Base crashed in the desert Thursday morning near Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The crash was reported on social media by several people in the area who saw the crash before NAFB confirmed to 13 Action News that it was investigating an "aircraft incident."
The crash happened at approximately 7:40 a.m. near North Sloan Lane and East Ann Road, which is north of the base.
The pilot was able to eject before the plane crashed and is being treated for minor injuries. No one was injured on the ground and no other damage has been reported.
During a press briefing, it was revealed that the plane that crash is a T-A4 Skyhawk and belongs to Draken International.
Watch video below to see what a Skyhawk looks like
Scott Poteet, director of business development for Draken, said that the plane's pilot is a former fighter pilot and has 25 years of experience, which makes him one of their most experienced pilots.
According to NAFB, contractors for the base provide "adversary" training for its pilots.
Poteet said that the plane had just participated in an exercise involving trainees at the base's weapons school on the base and was returning to base when the crash happened.
Poteet said the six-months weapons school is akin to "getting your Ph.D in flying."
The pilot was hospitalized for his injuries, but is expected to recover.
Date:
| 18-AUG-2016 | |
| Time: | 07:40 LT |
| Type: |  Douglas TA-4K Skyhawk |
| Owner/operator: | Draken International |
| Registration: | N? |
| C/n / msn: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | NNW of Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Nellis AFB (LSV/KLSV) |
| Nellis AFB (LSV/KLSV) |
Aircraft crashed NNW of the Nellis base near Sloan Lane and Las Vegas Blvd, south of I-15, after an in-flight emergency. The pilot reportedly ejected very close to the ground and is being treated for minor injuries.
The aircraft was operated by a civil contractor in support of the 57th Adversary Tactics Group, USAF.
Exercise Red Flag 16-4 was under way at the time of the accident.
Sources:
http://news3lv.com/news/local/aircraft-crash-reported-near-nellis-air-force-basehttp://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/aircraft-crash-reported-near-nellis-afb
http://www.ktnv.com/news/military-plane-may-have-crashed-in-las-vegas-valley
https://www.rt.com/usa/356396-aircraft-crash-las-vegas/
http://www.drakenintl.com
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Draken-International/Douglas-TA-4K-Skyhawk/3916945