A military jet on a training mission crashed into a neighborhood in Lake Worth, Texas on Sunday. The jet destroyed at least three homes and cut power lines in the immediate vicinity, leaving dozens of homes without power.
Officials said the two pilots managed to eject before the jet had crashed. One of the pilot's parachutes reportedly was caught in some power lines. Officials said the two are still alive, but one is now in critical condition.
The Fort Worth Fire Department said the pilots were taken to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, no one was killed during the crash but three residents had to be treated for minor injuries.
Chief of Naval Air Training spokesperson, Lt. Michelle Tucker, declined to identify the two pilots involved. Chief J.T. Manoushagian of the Lake Worth Police Department said the crash is still under investigation.
The Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth said the two pilots were on a "routine training flight." They were piloting a Navy T-45C Goshawk jet, which was being used as a training vehicle.
Lake Worth officials said the jet crashed into the backyard of a home. Debris from the crash damaged several homes nearby. The Red Cross has been assisting residents of the damaged homes by helping them find a temporary place to stay.
"It could have been a lot worse if it would have been a direct contact into a residence. Fortunately, that's not the case," Lake Worth Fire Department chief, Ryan Arthur, told reporters.
Before crashing, the jet had severed some power lines. At least 44 homes in the area had lost power. Emergency crews have been dispatched to the crash site to clear the area of the wreckage. Officials have warned the public to stay away from the crash site. Utility providers have also dispatched workers to restore power to affected neighborhoods.
Officials said they are prepared for these kinds of incidents given their proximity to the U.S. military base.
"Other cities in Texas, it could be natural disasters such as tornadoes and even ice storms but for us, it is a downed military aircraft since we are in such a unique position," Arthur said.
