JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Recovery operations are ongoing for the D.C. Air National Guard F-16C Fighting Falcon that crashed 5 April 2017. Presently, the Safety Investigation Board is assessing the crash site. This may last approximately 30 days, depending on circumstances surrounding the investigation. Once all necessary evidence is gathered and removed from the site, it will be ready for restoration back to its original condition.
After all the evidence is collected, investigative control of the site will be transferred to the Accident Investigation Board. They will help determine the cause or fault of the incident and provide a report for public release.
“While we must maintain the integrity of the investigation, the safety of all involved is our number one concern,” said Colonel E. John Teichert III, JBA and 11th Wing Commander. “We will continue to take all necessary steps to remedy any negative effects related to the incident.”
Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to take proper safety measures and not handle any pieces of the aircraft. As the site moves to the recovery phase, base personnel will work with Prince George’s County to remove the jet and all debris.
A jet fuel smell may be present within the immediate area, which can be typical with incidents of this kind, however we have not detected any harmful concentrations that would put the community at risk. Testing has been conducted on air quality in all affected areas, and no air contamination has been identified with the site. Visual inspection of the site has not revealed fuel contamination. As clean-up continues, an environmental evaluation will be conducted which will encompass air, soil, and water testing to determine the full environmental impact. Remediation of the site will follow local and state guidelines and restore the area to its pre-crash status.
“Although we lost an aircraft, we are extremely thankful that no one was harmed,” said Col Teichert. “We are also sincerely grateful for the community, as well as the local government and first responders. Our friends, neighbors, and colleagues in Prince George’s County proved yet again why we are fortunate to be a part of this community.”
The District Five Coffee Club will host a joint town hall meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Colony South Hotel in Clinton, Maryland. JBA representatives will attend to address any questions and concerns. For further details about the town hall, please contact Mrs. Carolyn Lowe, the District Five Coffee Club President at carolynlowe@yahoo.com or (301) 877-3258.
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