Air Guardsman Killed When Jet Crashes in Desert
An A-10 jet from the Michigan Air National Guard crashed Sunday during a training flight in southern Nevada, killing the pilot, authorities said.
The A-10, a twin-engine plane armed with an antitank gun, was carrying ammunition when it went down in a remote area near Pahrump, a desert town about 50 miles west of Las Vegas, said Linda Johnsrud, a spokeswoman for Nellis Air Force Base.
Air Force officials warned civilians to stay clear of the crash site because of the threat of exploding ammunition.
The plane had been flying in formation with two other aircraft and was taking part in the Air Warrior training exercises conducted at Nellis, the Air Force said.
The pilot, the only person on board, was identified as Capt. Byron Greer of the 172nd Fighter Squadron of the Michigan Air National Guard, based at Battle Creek, Mich.
The cause of the crash was not known and a board of Air Force officers is investigating, authorities said.
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