F-16 Crashes During Air Show

An Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed Sunday afternoon while performing as part of an air show near Kingsville Naval Air Station, killing the pilot, authorities said.

The pilot’s name was withheld pending notification of relatives. He was a member of the 78th Fighter Squadron from Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter, S.C.

The plane crashed in a field about six miles north of the naval base at about 12:45 p.m., said Navy Master Chief Jim Rostohar.

Corpus Christi resident John Rubino saw the plane hit the ground. “There was a bright, red and orange fireball,” Rubino said. “You could hear it and feel the shock of the concussion. It felt like someone hitting you in the chest.”

The rest of the air show, which was to include a performance by the Navy’s Blue Angels, was canceled.