The wreckage of a vintage single-engine British-built military jet is shown after it crashed and burned in the desert just after takeoff from the Henderson Executive Airport in Henderson Monday, July 24, 2017. The pilot escaped serious injury, authorities said.
Published Monday, July 24, 2017 | 12:42 p.m.
Updated Monday, July 24, 2017 | 1:55 p.m.
A vintage single-engine British-built military jet crashed and burned in the desert just after takeoff today from Henderson Executive Airport, but authorities said the pilot escaped serious injury.
The pilot was the only person aboard the Strikemaster jet when it crashed just before noon about a half mile south of the airport, according to police, fire, airport and Federal Aviation Administration officials.
No one on the ground was injured, and the closest homes were about a half mile away, Henderson Fire Department spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said.
Airport spokeswoman Christine Crews said police were interviewing the pilot after the crash, and FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the pilot also will meet with agency investigators. His name was not immediately made public.
The Strikemaster is a two-seat light-attack aircraft.
Nearly 150 of the jets were produced by British Aircraft Corporation from 1967 to 1984.
