U.S. Air National Guard Col. James Keefe, commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, takes questions from reporters in front of Barnes Air National Guard Base, in Westfield, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, about a crashed Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15C fighter. An experienced pilot on a standard maintenance mission was missing Wednesday after his fighter jet crashed in the mountains of western Virginia. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) U.S. Air National Guard Col. James Keefe, commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, takes questions from reporters in front of Barnes Air National Guard Base, in Westfield, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, about a crashed Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15C fighter. An experienced pilot on a standard maintenance mission was missing Wednesday after his fighter jet crashed in the mountains of western Virginia. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – After missing for well over 24 hours, the missing pilot from Barnes Air National Guard in Westfield has been found dead. Major Matthew Mutti of the 104th Fighter Wing told 22News that the pilot suffered deadly injuries. The 104th Fighter Wing pilot went missing after the F-15C Eagle fighter jet he was flying crashed in a remote region near Deerfield Valley, Virginia around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Members from the 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield went to Virginia late Tuesday night to assist police and rescue crew in the search. Major Matthew Mutti said rescue teams were using a C-26 aircraft from Syracuse and a HC-130 aircraft early Thursday morning. This story is still developing. Stay with 22News for the latest information on-air and on WWLP for the latest information when it becomes available.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 01:48:08 +0000