A military aircraft operated by a contractor crashed in Las Vegas soon after departing from Nellis Air Force Base, a Pentagon spokesperson said, with footage from the crash site showing a black column of smoke rising into the sky.
“A contractor-operated aircraft that took off from Nellis Air Force Base crashed at approximately 2:30 p.m. May 24 outside the southern edge of the base,” a spokesperson for Nellis said in a statement posted to Twitter, adding that “Multiple federal and local first responders” were on the scene to investigate.
A contractor-operated aircraft that took off from Nellis Air Force Base crashed at approximately 2:30 p.m. May 24 outside the southern edge of the base.
— Nellis Air Force Base (@NellisAFB) May 24, 2021
Multiple federal and local first responders are on scene.
The incident is under investigation.
The crash reportedly took place in a residential area in northeast Las Vegas. Though officials have not confirmed any deaths or injuries, a local CBS affiliate reported that the pilot died in the crash, citing sources with the Clark County Fire Department.
The National Transportation Safety Board, a federal agency tasked with investigating aviation accidents, confirmed that the crash involved a Dassault Aviation Mirage F-1 later on Monday evening.
Video purporting to show the aftermath of the crash has circulated online, in which a thick cloud of black smoke is seen as first responders arrive at the site.
BREAKING: Aftermath of plane crash in northeast Las Vegas.
— David Charns (@davidcharns) May 24, 2021
📷: Cristian Mendoza pic.twitter.com/DJZS5SATIz
VIDEO: Viewer video shows the moments after an aircraft crash connected to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. | https://t.co/Hh5oN9NPU5 | (Credit Anthony Milano) pic.twitter.com/DdAHQzVBEC
— KTNV 13 Action News (@KTNV) May 24, 2021
Several private military contractors operate out of Nellis and partake in “aggressor training” to prepare Air Force pilots for real-life dog fights, according to Military.com, which noted the base is also home to the Air Force’s Thunderbirds F-16 demonstration team. The military houses a variety of craft at the base, including F-16 Falcon and F-22 Raptor fighter jets, as well as A-10 Warthogs, local media reported.
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak said he was aware of the incident and that he and his wife are “praying for all those involved” in a tweet on Monday afternoon. He was joined by Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, who said she was “thinking of the men and women serving and their families.”
Kathy and I are praying for all those involved in today's incident -- especially the men and women of @NellisAFB and the first responders on the scene. https://t.co/tCXZnXMzEd
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) May 24, 2021
Monitoring the incident @NellisAFB closely. Thinking of the men and women serving and their families. https://t.co/BTtWA4TBZl
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) May 24, 2021
Roads have been blocked around the area of the crash site as local and federal agencies investigate.
Located in southern Nevada about 8 miles northeast from downtown Las Vegas, Nellis air base, including its restricted ranges, covers some 5,000 square miles and employs 9,500 military and civilian personnel, according to its website. The base is used for “advanced combat aviation training,” including for transport, close-air-support, command-and-control and combat search-and-rescue missions.
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