US military jet 'carrying explosives crashes killing everyone on board'
A US military aircraft has crashed in eastern Tennessee and authorities believed that all those on board have died.
A US Navy spokesman had earlier announced a T-45 Jet was missing after it took off from Naval Air Station Meridian in Mississippi.
But Monroe County Sheriff’s Office later revealed the plane had crashed in Tellico Plains in the Cherokee National Forest on Sunday.
It is reported that the passengers were a flight instructor and student and it appears unlikely that the crew survived.
A US Navy news release said: “Two pilots were aboard the aircraft, an instructor and a student.
“Their status is unknown at this time."
The US National Guard says it will be in the area searching for the jet Monday.
Helicopters from the University of Tennessee Medical Centre and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office flew over the area to search for parachutes but did not find any.
Monroe County Emergency Management Director David Chambers estimates that the debris field to be “at least a mile long”.
Wilderness ranger Mason Boring said he saw the plane fly overhead less than 20 miles north of the crash site.
He added: "He was flying super low and he was really buzzing — He was going super fast.”
Mr Boring said it was common to see and hear planes in the training area.
The T-45 Goshawk can carry two people and reach speeds of 645mph.