Matthew J. LaCourse, 58, dies when F-16 fighter jet crashes into the gulf of Mexico near Panama City, Florida

Modified Date:

Wed, 09/09/2015 - 9:33am

Accident Date:

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Air Force: Spatial Disorientation Caused Fatal F-16 Crash in Gulf

He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978 and retired from the Air Force in 2000 as a lieutenant colonel. NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- An Air Force report says spatial disorientation caused an F-16 pilot to fatally crash his plane in November in the Gulf of Mexico. The report by Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, says LaCourse was training intercepting another aircraft when he became disoriented. LaCourse was assigned to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base. Fifty-eight-year-old civilian pilot Matthew J. LaCourse of Panama City Beach was piloting the jet during a routine training exercise when it crashed near Florida.

Air Force IDs pilot in fighter jet crash

LaCourse was assigned to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978 and retired from the Air Force in 2000 as a lieutenant colonel.

Tyndall AFB pilot found, recovered

Base efforts will now shift from that of a rescue mission to a recovery operation as evidence is collected to help in determining the cause of the crash. A board of qualified officers has been assembled to conduct this investigation and further information will be released after the investigation is complete.

Pilot’s remains recovered in Gulf after F-16 crash: Air Force

An earlier statement said the jet was on a routine training mission over the Gulf on Thursday morning when the base in the Florida Panhandle lost contact with the pilot.

Florida pilot killed in Air Force fighter jet crash

He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978 and retired from the Air Force in 2000 as a lieutenant colonel.

Matthew J. LaCourse was piloting an F-16 when officials lost contact with him, and the plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. He died in the crash, and his remains were recovered and identified. The cause of the accident is not yet known.

Type: Aircraft Accident

People Involved:

Matthew J. LaCourse

City:

Panama City, FL

County:

Bay County, FL

Area:

Panama City, FL