One pilot died when a U-2 reconnaissance airplane crashed in California on Tuesday, the Air Force said. The other aviator is injured.
The plane went down in Sutter County, north of Sacramento, according to a tweet for the Air Force Press Desk.
We can confirm a U-2 from @9thRW Beale AFB has gone down in Sutter County, CA; 2 pilots have ejected; details to follow when available
— USAF Pressdesk (@usafpressdesk) September 20, 2016
The aircraft belonged to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base.
Air Combat Command tweeted that the pilots landed in an isolated area and were being recovered by aircraft.
Initial report: U-2 crashed in Sutter, Calif. – unpopulated area. 2 Pilots safely ejected/awaiting recovery with aircraft in isolated area.
— Air Combat Command (@USAF_ACC) September 20, 2016
According to an Air Force fact sheet, the service had 33 aircraft, including five that are two-seaters for training. The planes began flying in 1956.
