Military jet crashes in Arizona desert south of Phoenix; Pilot safely ejects
5/9/2014PHOENIX — Authorities say a military jet has crashed on tribal land south of Phoenix, but the pilot was able to eject safely.
Television footage shows the charred wreckage of the plane in several pieces in a remote desert area on the Gila River Indian Community.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the jet belonged to the U.S. Marine Corps, but couldn’t release any other information.
Phoenix TV station KPNX reports that the jet was a Harrier from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego.
Officials with the California base say they are aware of the crash but didn’t immediate release any information about it.
A spokesman for the Gila River Indian Community says the pilot was the only person aboard and suffered only a nose laceration.