Air Force B-1B Lancer plane crashes on Ellsworth
Four crew members aboard plane ejected safely before crash landing
A B-1B Lancer crashed just before 6 PM local time Thursday on Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City while attempting to land, according to a news release from the United States Air Force.
All four crew members on the training mission ejected safely, according to the same release.
Subsequent information released on Friday stated that three of the crew were treated on base for minor injuries and released, while one was receiving treatment at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
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The incident will be investigated by an internal board, with no further information being made available at this time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the aircrew and their families as they recover from this event,” said Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander. “It is important that we support each other as we work to learn more about what occurred.”
B-1s, developed in the 1970s, serve as long-range bombers. Plans are in place for the B-21 Raider, currently under development, to eventually replace the B-1 aircraft. The B-21 Raider is expected to be in use at Ellsworth sometime within this decade.
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