Belgium’s defence ministry said in a statement that an accident happened at the start of an F-16 mission and “the pilot had to use his ejector seat.”
A Belgium Air Force General Dynamics F-16AM fighter jet, registration FA130, experienced problems during start-up and jumped the chokes and crashed into a building at Leeuwarden Air Base (LWR/EHLW), Netherlands, on Thursday, July 1, 2021.
The jet sustained substantial damage and the sole pilot ejected and received minor injuries.
Two additional people on the ground were injured.
Dutch and Belgian authorities said, “During start-up the engine was accelerating too quickly (some reports mention it kicked into afterburner) and the aircraft jumped the chocks, before crashing into a prefabricated building opposite the flight line.
The pilot ejected from the Fighting Falcon (witnesses saw a parachute) and he was apparently injured.
As a precaution the fire services doused the Viper with water, although it is not immediately clear if there was a fire. The aircraft was armed with ordinance as can be seen from the photos.
The Viper involved (msn 6H-130) is part of 2 Wing, based at Florennes.
The base houses 2 squadrons, both equipped with the F-16AM/BM; 1sq Chardon and 350sq Ambiorix.
