Italian F-16 down near Sicily

[pkonowrocki]

Italian Air Force F-16 has crashed in the Egada area, near Sicily this evening according to Ansa agency. The search for the pilot is on.
Unfortunately that's all the info available right now.
http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/wiadomosc.html?kat=1356&wid=9649580&rfbawp=1202766173.927&ticaid=1557f

[pkonowrocki]

I just found the article in 'la Repubblica'.
Sorry for my translation, my Italian skills are not the best:

F-16 crashed near Trapani. The pilot was saved from the sea.
The F-16 was from 37 division of the Italian Air Force, based at the airport of Trapani Birgi, in the Egada archipelag. The pilot was found alive and saved from the sea, between Levanzo and Marettimo, some 16 kms of the shore. Police, coast guard and helicopters were all involved in the search.

In Italian:

TRAPANI - Un F16 del 37esimo stormo dell'aeronautica militare, di stanza nell'aeroporto di Trapani Birgi, è precipitato a largo di Levanzo, nell'arcipelago delle Egadi. Il pilota disperso, secondo la
Capitaneria di Porto di Trapani, è stato individuato e recuperato, vivo, nel tratto di mare tra Levanzo e Marettimo, a circa 16 miglia dalla costa. Nelle ricerche sono stati impegnati, oltre a unità navali e motovedette di Polizia, Carabinieri e Guardia Costiera, anche un elicottero dell'aeronautica.

http://www.repubblica.it/2008/02/sezioni/cronaca/f16-cade-trapanese/f16-cade-trapanese/f16-cade-trapanese.html

[Dmmoore]

Good to hear the pilot was unharmed.

[Highkeas]

I used to make parts for ACES-II ejection seats - I'm always proud when it saves someones life.