US Air Force pilot missing as fighter jet from RAF Lakenheath crashes into North Sea

Wreckage of a fighter jet from RAF Lakenheath that crashed into the North Sea has been found, but the search for the US Air Force pilot is ongoing.

The F-15C Eagle, from the 48th Fighter Wing, went down just after 9.40am, 74 nautical miles off the East Yorkshire coast.

A Coastguard helicopter from Humberside and Bridlington and Scarborough RNLI lifeboats have been involved in the search.

The wreckage was found this afternoon.

A spokesman for RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk said: “At the time of the accident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board.

“The cause of the crash as well as the status of the pilot are unknown at this time, and UK Search and Rescue have been called to support.”

The fighter jet is part of the US Air Force 493rd Fighter Squadron - the only F-15C squadron in Europe.