Story highlights
The crash occurred on April 5 during a routine surface attack training mission
Large portions of the aircraft were found intact after the crash
Investigators have concluded that a $22 million US Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed near Joint Base Andrews, Maryland earlier this year because its engine was improperly assembled and was missing key parts, the service announced Thursday.
The crash occurred April 5 during a routine surface attack training mission.
Shortly after departing Joint Base Andrews, the aircraft “experienced an uncommanded engine acceleration, followed by a loss of thrust,” forcing the pilot to execute “critical action procedures for low altitude engine failure,” according to an Air Force press release.