A Portuguese Air Force F-16 fighter plane was completely destroyed in a Monday crash, although its pilot escaped in an ejector seat and parachuted to safety.
The U.S. made aircraft crash-landed at 13:40 local time (13:40 GMT) close to Monte Real Air Base, close to Leiria, a city 67 km north of Portuguese capital Lisbon. Authorities at the base did not say why the aircraft had crashed.
The National Guard has closed roads that led to the crash site. Military authorities said there were no victims on the ground.
Portugal's air force said that it had sent expert to the area to determine the cause of the accident, adding that the aircraft had not carried any missiles at the time of the crash and that it had been preparing for a vertical ascent.
Although the pilot appears to be unhurt, he has been placed under observation, the Air Force said. It did not name the pilot but described him as an experienced professional.
The Monte Real base has 27 F-16 fighter planes. The bases 201 squadron received its first planes in 1994 and began operating in November 2005.
The aircraft were recently adapted for air defense missions and conventional attacks in all light and weather conditions, the Air Force said.
Source: Xinhua
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