ABU DHABI — The Royal Saudi Air Force has launched an investigation
into a crash of an F-15 fighter-jet, the third in less than three years.
The air force has been examining debris from the crash of an F-15S jet
in the Eastern Province on Nov. 1. The U.S.-origin aircraft crashed during a
training flight about 80 kilometers west of the King Abdul Aziz Air Base.
The downed aircraft was destroyed in an area in which two other F-15s
fell during exercises in 2004. In the latest crash, the pilot ejected
safely.
The air force has established a panel to investigate the F-15S crash,
which was purchased in 1995 for about $50 million. At the time, Riyad
ordered 72 F-15s, and over the last two years the air force has been
examining the prospect of an upgrade.
This was the second Saudi air crash in less than a week. On Oct. 29, a
Saudi civil defense helicopter crashed during a rescue operation 140
kilometers south of Al Aflaj.
The latest F-15 crash was the third in less than three years. In January
2005, an F-15 crashed during a training mission at King Abdul Aziz Air Base.
Both pilots were killed when the fighter-jet slammed into the base.
In September 2004, another F-15 crashed during a training exercise. The
accident took place during a Gulf Cooperation Council air force exercise,
entitled "Gulf Spears."
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