Airplane Crash in Albuquerque

[Yazata]

An airplane crashed within the last hour at the Albuquerque NM airport, which is shared with Kirtland Air Force Base (my father was stationed there, long ago).

Eyewitness reports big plume of dust followed by black smoke.

Albuquerque KRQE TV (local CBS affiliate) says it was a military aircraft that went down near the end of the runway. They say the pilot is conscious and being transported to a hospital.

Local news helicopters overhead show fire crews have the fire out. The aircraft appears, from what little is left, to have been an F35 fighter. It's totally destroyed, so I'm guessing the pilot ejected at low altitude. I don't know if the plane was landing or taking off when it went in.

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Notams indicate two runways at the airport have been closed.

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nsNS

[Yazata]

Confirmed to be an F35. Crashed on takeoff. Pilot is in serious condition with unspecified injuries.

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