Libya: US fighter jet crash lands in field near Benghazi

A US warplane has crash landed in a Libyan field in the area around Benghazi

Exclusive Telegraph picture shows locals inspecting an American F-15 E Strike Eagle jet that crashed in a field 

By Rob Crilly and Laura Roberts

The pilot of the F-15E fighter jet was rescued by rebel soldiers after ejecting from the aircraft, it is understood. Another crew member is also thought to have ejected and been recovered by US military forces.

The US military said it has launched an operation to recover the missing crew member.

The crashed plane was discovered by a Telegraph journalist reporting in and around Benghazi, the rebel-held city.

It is thought the F-15E fighter jet came to ground after suffering a mechanical failure.

The US military confirmed that one of its jets had crash landed but said that it had not been shot down. Vince Crawley, a spokesman for the U.S. military's Africa Command, said that one crewman had been recovered and one was "in process of recovery".

Source: The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8397587/Libya-US-fighter-jet-crash-lands-in-field-near-Benghazi.html