The Pentagon confirmed that a U.S. F-15C fighter jet crashed Wednesday morning in Virginia during a "routine mission."
The jet pilot’s condition remains unknown, the Defense Department said in a statement published on its website.
"Air Force and civilian first responders are responding to the scene," Army Col. Steve Warren was quoted as saying.
The 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts reportedly lost radio contact with the plane, which was en route to receiving a system upgrade.
The Defense Department report added:
The F-15C pilot made a report of an in-flight emergency prior to losing radio contact. Subsequently there were reports of dark smoke being seen around the aircraft’s last known whereabouts. Local law enforcement arrived on the scene and confirmed the aircraft crashed.
"Information on this incident is developing rapidly and we are not going to speculate on what occurred or the status of the pilot," said Air Force Col. James Keefe, 104th Fighter Wing commander. "We are hopeful that the pilot is okay, and the pilot will be in our thoughts and prayers as the events of this incident unfold."