NATO Jet Crashes After Midair Collision

Vilnius, Lithuania, Aug 30: A Lithuanian military plane collided midair with a French fighter jet during a NATO training flight Tuesday and crashed into a swamp after its two pilots ejected, officials said.

No serious injuries were reported in the accident near the Zokniai air base in northern Lithuania, home to NATO jets patrolling the skies over the Baltic countries.

The French Mirage fighter was only "lightly damaged" and landed safely at the air base, while the Lithuanian pilots successfully ejected from their L-39 Albatros jet after the collision at 10:30 local time (0730GMT), NATO officials said.

"The two Lithuanian pilots walked away from the crash without serious injury and are currently under medical supervision," the military alliance said in a statement.

From: http://ping.fm/Kypaa