US F-16 fighter jet crashes off South Korea's west coast

The pilot ejected from the aircraft and has been rescued, currently in stable condition, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The crash occurred over the Yellow Sea around 180 kilometers (112 miles) south of Seoul, involving a jet assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base. The incident was attributed to an 'in-flight emergency,' with the crash happening at approximately 8:41 a.m., according to the US Air Force.

This marks the third F-16 crash in South Korea within a year. In the previous month, an F-16 crashed into the Yellow Sea during routine training. In May of the previous year, another F-16 had crashed near Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek.

The US Air Force and South Korean authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. The recent string of incidents involving F-16s in South Korea raises concerns about their maintenance and flight procedures.

Experts will likely scrutinize the data from the aircraft and pilot's reports to determine the cause and implement any necessary preventive measures. (ILKHA)