U-2 Training Flights Temporarily Suspended At Beale AFB
5:35 p.m. Update: Authorities have identified the pilot killed in Tuesday's U-2 spy plane crash.
Lt. Col Ira S. Eadie was the pilot killed in the crash. He was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base.
Authorities have not released the identity of the other pilot involved in the crash. That pilot suffered non-life threatening injuries and is currently in stable condition at the hospital.
MORE: the other pilot is listed in stable condition at a local hospital. Info per @9thRW
— Drew Bollea (@Drew_WCCB) September 22, 2016
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BEALE AIR FORCE BASE (CBS13/AP) – Investigators still have limited information on how the U-2 spy plane crash that killed a pilot happened.
One pilot was killed and another injured Tuesday when they ejected from the high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft shortly after a routine takeoff from the base north of Sacramento.
At a press conference Wednesday, military officials said more than 60 personnel from Beale Air Force Base responded to the crash. The Sutter County Sheriff also had units respond.
Due to the crash, Beale AFB has temporarily suspended U-2 training flights until further notice.
"We want to maintain the integrity of the crash site." -Col Barnes on the security forces presence.
— Beale Air Force Base (@9thRW) September 21, 2016
The plane slammed into the side of the Sutter Butte mountains and caught fire about 20 miles west of the runway. The pilots landed a short distance away.
Beale AFB is home to 33 U2 spy planes. 5 of them are 2-seater training planes, including one that crashed yesterday.
— Drew Bollea (@Drew_WCCB) September 21, 2016
Officials have not released the identity of the pilot who died or information about the condition of the surviving airman.
The U-2 "Dragon Lady" flies at extremely high altitudes to capture images, radio signals and other information useful to intelligence officers and battlefield commanders.