WORLD : Air Force Jet Crashes, Pilot Dies

IN EASTERN SAUDI ARABIA — A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter has crashed in northeastern Saudi Arabia while on a night training mission, killing the pilot, the military said today.

It was the first fatal crash of an American military aircraft in Operation Desert Shield since Dec. 19, when four crew members were killed when their Navy helicopter crashed.

The F-16 jet crashed at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, said an Air Force spokesman, Capt. Raymond Martell. He said the cause of the crash was not known.

The pilot was identified today as Capt. Michael L. Chinburg, 26. The jet was attached to the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.