The Associated Press reported that the jet crashed after performing a flyover of an Air Force Academy commencement in Colorado Springs, Colorado that the president was attending. The Thunderbird jet crashed south of Colorado Springs minutes after completing the flyover ceremony.
The Colorado Springs Gazette, citing Air Force Academy officials, notes that the plane suffered engine failure before the crash. However, there will be an official investigation into the cause of the incident.
Lindsay Diaz shared this picture of the downed Thunderbird near Powers and Fontaine. #Breaking pic.twitter.com/Vzo1wdooD0
- KRDO NewsChannel 13 (@KRDONC13) June 2, 2016According to local station KRDO, the pilot ejected safely from the plane and is being evaluated by Air Force Academy paramedics. And the US Air Force Air Combat Command has tweeted that the pilot is managing to walk around unhurt.
The US Air Force Thunderbirds are an air demonstration team. The group flies modified F-16s and routinely perform flyovers over US Air Force Academy commencements.