US military aircraft crashes near Albuquerque airport

The aircraft “crashed off of the airfield” on the south side of Albuquerque International Sunport, the airport in New Mexico’s most populous city said on social media. The site of the crash, which was reported just before 2 p.m. MT, also is near Kirtland Air Force Base.

The pilot ejected from the craft before the crash, and was found conscious and breathing, Bernalillo County Fire Rescue spokesperson William Harris said.

The pilot was “transported with serious injuries,” Albuquerque Fire Rescue Lt. Jason Fejer said, CNN reported.

The pilot was the craft’s sole occupant, the airport said.

Kirtland Air Force Base and the Federal Aviation Administration are conducting an investigation into the crash, Fejer said.

Two civilians were evaluated at the site, but neither was taken to a hospital, Fejer said, without saying why they were evaluated.

MP/PR