A military contractor aircraft crashed in the Las Vegas Valley near Nellis Air Force Base on Monday, killing the pilot, according to the company that owned the vehicle.
Photos and video of billowing black smoke began circulating online on Monday afternoon. The crash was just three miles south of the military installation, according to local outlet Fox 24.
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“A contracted-aircraft that took off from Nellis Air Force Base crashed at approximately 2:30 p.m. May 24 outside the southern edge of the base,” the base said in a Monday statement. “The aircraft was owned, operated and piloted by Draken US, a Florida-based company contracted to provide adversary air support to Nellis Air Force Base.”
“Draken has received news of a downed aircraft out of Nellis AFB and the tragic loss of one of our pilots,” the company said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people and families affected by this event. We are doing everything in our power to assist them in this time of need, and we are working closely with federal, state and local authorities. Draken US is also cooperating with investigating agencies to determine what led to this tragic accident.”
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The identity of the pilot has yet to be released. No one else was on board the aircraft, according to the base.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, said the aircraft was a Dassault Aviation Mirage F-1, according to NBC News.
