US Fighter Jet Crashes in Waters Off South Korea After ‘In-Flight Emergency’

The pilot ejected safely from the aircraft and was rescued by South Korea’s maritime forces.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber (top) flies in formation with U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets over the South Korea Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea on Feb. 19, 2023. South Korea Defense Ministry via AP

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed into the Yellow Sea off South Korea on Dec. 11 after encountering an “in-flight emergency” while on a routine training flight. The pilot was rescued after ejecting safely from the aircraft.

The pilot was rescued in the Yellow Sea by the South Korean coast guard and was being returned to the Kunsan Air Base, the 8th Fighter Wing said in a statement.