Flamborough Head plane crash: Pilot confirmed dead

His death has been announced by RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, where the unnamed United States Air Force serviceman was based.

Wreckage of the F-15C Eagle jet was discovered at ther crash site, 74 miles off Flamborough Head, earlier today.

The pilot was flying in formation with three other F-15s from 48th Fighter Wing when the aircraft went missing at 9.40am on Monday while on a routine exercise.

A massive search and rescue operation involving the Humber Coastguard helicopter and RNLI lifeboats from Bridlington, Scarborough and Whitby was launched.

In a statement on Monday evening, RAF Lakenheath said the pilot had been found and “confirmed deceased”.

“This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community, and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot’s family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron,” the statement added.

RAF Lakenheath said the pilot’s name would not be released until all next of kin notifications had been made.

RAF Lakenheath previously said search efforts by HM Coastguard had found the aircraft wreckage with recovery efforts under way.

The F-15C is a model of jet that has been used by the US Air Force since 1979.

US forces have been based at RAF Lakenheath since 1960 and thousands of American personnel work at the site.

A body washed up on a remote beach on the Holderness coast on Monday is not connected to the incident. The man has not yet been identified by Humberside Police and was discovered by a dog walker near the village of Grimston.