Two military jets out of Sumter collide off Folly Beach (updated x3 )

Image by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Volves/Coast GuardImage by 20090617-coast-guard.jpg Seaman Zachary Evans looks for Air Force Capt. Nicholas Giglio with long-range binoculars aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Bear on Friday afternoon October 16.

Updates at the bottom of the page

Two F-16s out of Sumter's Shaw Air Force Base have collided over water some 40 miles from Folly Beach.

One jet managed to land in Charleston but the second plane (nor its pilot) have yet been found.

As you would expect, multiple outlets are reporting on the matter. No coverage stands out as above and beyond yet, but I'll point you to The Post and Courier for the most concise report.

Read it here.

NBC News 2's coverage is also worth a peek for a couple more details.

We'll link you up with later coverage as it comes. While we can expect some details to follow, the military is generally known for being mum about specifics until a full investigation is done.


Update October 16, 2 p.m.:

 

 

The State reports that crews searching for an F-16 fighter pilot whose jet hit another fighter off the South Carolina coast have spotted debris and an oil slick in the Atlantic Ocean.

There is still no sign of the pilot of the downed plane.


Update October 17: 

 

The search continues for the missing pilot. That's really just about all that is known. 

The Post and Courier has a full update though; read it over here.


Update October 18:

Hope of finding Capt. Nicholas Giglio alive is being given up and the mission is being turned into a recovery operation; Live 5 News has the details.

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