A non-military training jet crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. on Friday at around 10:10 a.m. local time and two pilots ejected safely.
A National Test Pilot School spokesperson confirmed to American Military News that an Impala MB-326 jet trainer crashed 10 miles northwest of Edwards AFB.
“At the time of the accident, the aircraft was providing flight test training. Two aircrew members were on board. Both ejected safely,” the spokesperson told American Military news.
The National Test Pilot School located just 23 miles northwest of Edwards Air Force Base. The crash occurred 10 miles northwest of the main part of the base.
“A non-military aircraft originating from the Mojave Air & Space Port crashed in an uninhabited area of Edwards Air Force Base,” Edwards AFB said in a statement.
The MB-326 jet is a two-seater light military jet originally developed in Italy in the 1950s. According to the National Test Pilot School, the jet is used mostly for “Performance and Flying Qualities flight test instruction.”
Edwards AFB had announced at 11:00 a.m. local time that the West Gate was closed. It reopened approximately 40 minutes later.
The two pilots were transported to a local area hospital, Edwards AFB said.
