Thunderbird crashes after show at Air Force Academy graduation

Updated: 2016-06-03 09:30

(Xinhua)

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Thunderbird crashes after show at Air Force Academy graduation

An Air Force F-16 with the Thunderbirds air demonstration squadron sits crashed in a field 4 miles south of Colorado Springs after performing a fly-by of the US Air Force Academy graduation ceremony where President Barack Obama gave the commencement address, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, US, June 2, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

LOS ANGELES - A Thunderbirds fighter jet crashed in Colorado Thursday afternoon just after the team performed at the Air Force Academy's graduation which was attended by US President Barack Obama.

The pilot safely ejected and was able to get away unhurt. There was no one on the ground hurt, according to local media reports.

Obama met the pilot after the accident before he left.

The crash happened minutes after the Thunderbirds' F-16 jets flew over Obama and others at the ceremony.

Benjamin Newell, spokesman for the Air Force's Air Combat Command, said the Thunderbirds crash resulted from a "mishap," and investigation is under way.

Also Thursday, a Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 jet crashed near Nashville in Tennessee. There was no immediate word on any injuries in that incident.

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