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LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A CF-18 fighter jet crashed and burned Friday at an Alberta airport.
Witnesses said the pilot ejected from the plane and pulled his parachute before his aircraft crashed at the Lethbridge County Airport, where preparations were being made for an air show this weekend.
The pilot was brought to hospital, RCMP said, adding that the extent of the pilot's injuries was not immediately known.
An employee at the airport said the jet went down shortly after noon local time.
The area has been isolated by police and local fire crews as they continue to work at the scene, RCMP said, noting the public is not in danger as a result of the incident.
Both the Department of National Defence and Department of Transportation are investigating the crash.
Lethbridge is about 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary
CALGARY — A Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jet crashed at the Lethbridge Regional Airport Friday, as the facility was getting ready for the Alberta International Airshow.
Lethbridge RCMP said the pilot was taken to Chinook Regional Hospital with undetermined injuries after the crash occured around 12:20 p.m.
Witnesses say he pulled his parachute and ejected before the plane crashed.
RCMP and the local fire department have cordoned off the area.
The CF-18 Hornet in the crash was to take part in this weekend's two-day air show in Lethbridge, beginning Saturday. The twin-engine fighter jets are frequently involved in aerobatic demonstrations, and most recently provided aerial security over Vancouver during the Winter Games.
A military spokeswoman said the cause of the crash is under investigation. It's not immediately known whether the plane ran into trouble during mid-air manoeuvres, or on take-off or landing.
"I can confirm a CF-18 Hornet has crashed during practice for the Lethbridge air show," said Capt. Nicole Meszaros, a spokeswoman for 4 Wing, based at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.
"The pilot, we are very thankful to say, is OK. We believe at this point that his injuries are not life-threatening."
Authorities have not released the pilot's name, but Meszaros said the pilot is attached to 3 Wing from CFB Bagotville in Quebec. The plane's crew is based in Cold Lake, Meszaros added.
Global Television contributed to this report
The CF-18 Hornet was to take part in this weekend's two-day Alberta International Air Show in Lethbridge, beginning Saturday.
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