By AP/KWMU
Vincennes, Ind. – An F-15 fighter jet from St. Louis crashed in southern Indiana Wednesday.
The accident happened near the community of Vincennes, close to the Illinois state line.
The pilot ejected safely, and there were no injuries on the ground.
The plane was from the Missouri Air National Guard's 131st Fighter Wing, based at Lambert Airport.
Vice Wing Commander Col. Greg Champagne said the pilot was practicing combat moves when his plane went down.
"The airplane was involved with what we call basic fighter maneuvers," Champagne said. "Every time we fly here locally, we do training to enhance our proficiency in combat, and they were doing basic fighting maneuvers when the airplane was lost."
Champagne said he does not yet know why the pilot had to eject.
He said an investigation by the Air Force will take about a month.
The National Guard is not releasing the pilot's name, but Champagne said he has 15 years of flying experience.
The pilot was practicing with seven others, three from Missouri and four from Indiana.