FALLON (AP) - Navy officials say a jet crashed shortly after takeoff from the Fallon Naval Air Station Thursday afternoon, and the pilot ejected to safety.
Base spokesman Zip Upham says the pilot was taken to a Fallon hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His name wasn't immediately released.
Upham says the pilot is an employee of a Navy contractor that owned the A-4 Skyhawk, a jet once used by the military.
The contractor, Aircraft Tactical Advantage Co., simulates enemy aircraft for Navy pilots during training exercises.
Upham says the jet burst into flames after crashing into an alfalfa field within a mile of the base's airfield.
Witness Andrea Zeller says the jet appeared to be heading back to the base with its tail on fire when
the 1:40 p.m. crash occurred.