Two U.S. Navy pilots were killed in a training accident in Tennessee on Sunday, the service announced Monday morning.
An instructor pilot and a student were in a T-45C training jet when it crashed into the deep woods of Cherokee National Forest in Tellico Plains, Tenn., U.S. Naval Institute News reports.
The Navy could not reach the crash sight until Monday morning because of its remote location. The service is currently contacting the pilots' next of kin and will not release their identities until the process is completed.
"Two pilots were aboard the aircraft, an instructor and a student," the Navy said in a press release. "The pilots did not survive the incident. Names of the pilots are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification."
The aircraft was based out of Training Air Wing One at Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss.
The T-45C jet trainer is one of many aircraft types that have caused problems for the Navy, resulting in several training injuries and even deaths. Pilots have suffered physiological episodes in recent years, caused in part by problems with the oxygen system, that have led to loss of consciousness and various accidents.
The Navy is now behind in pilot production after ordering a pause in T-45C flights because of the training issues. The service then implemented flying restrictions when flights were allowed to resume.
In April, more than 100 Navy pilots said they were refusing to fly the T-45C jet because they felt the issue was not being properly addressed by senior officials.