A military pilot ejected to safety as their aircraft crashed off of the airfield at the Albuquerque International Sunport, the primary international airport in New Mexico.
Officials say the aircraft crashed off the airfield on the south side of the airport on Tuesday afternoon. The pilot – the only person on board – is reportedly conscious and breathing and has been taken to the hospital, local outlet KOB4 said.
The pilot managed to escape from the stricken aircraft before the accident took place, the outlet said. It had come from nearby Kirtland Air Force Base, officials confirmed.
“An aircraft has been involved in a crash southwest of the installation today. Emergency responders are in route to the accident site. Additional information will be released as it becomes available,” a spokesperson for the base told The Independent.
Two civilians were evaluated at the scene and neither person was transported, fire officials said. Flight operations at Sunport are understood to have resumed.
“However, the area of Rio Bravo and University will be closed and drivers should avoid area for next 24 hrs,” the airport wrote online.
Dramatic footage showed fire crews on the scene dousing the smoking wreckage of the plane with foam. Photos also showed multiple emergency vehicles lined up along nearby roads.
“A military aircraft has crashed off of the airfield on the southside of the Sunport. One soul aboard, pilot is conscious and being transported. Flight operations have resumed, but check with your airline for flight status,” the airport wrote on X.
Responding to the post, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, wrote: “Grateful for the rapid action of the first responders who arrived to the scene. Praying for the pilot.”
