F-16 Crash at Utah Test and Training Range, pilot ejects Published May 4, 2012 By Andrea V. Mason 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- A 388th Fighter Wing pilot ejected safely from his malfunctioning F-16 fighter jet Friday morning during a flight over western Utah's Test and Training Range. At the time of the accident there was one person on board. The pilot successfully ejected and was evaluated by medical personnel. Emergency response teams from Hill Air Force Base responded immediately to the accident. Col. Scott Long, commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, said it will be between 60 and 90 days before information can be released to the public about what caused the crash. It will take investigators that much time to complete their investigation. The pilot was participating in an operational readiness-training exercise when something went wrong and had to eject. The pilot, who is a captain and a very experienced pilot, according to Long, was uninjured and walked to the life-flight helicopter. During a commander's call Friday afternoon with 388th and 419th fighter wing Airmen, Long said he was thankful the pilot walked away safely from the crash. "The 388th and 419th fighter wings make up a very strong team of disciplined Airmen, and that's what it takes to do our business," he said. The 388th Fighter Wing has suspended flying operations but plans to return to flying sometime this week. Other Hill AFB training and flying operations will still occur as planned. --30--