F-16s scramble to unresponsive pilot over West Virginia Published July 31, 2009 TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 601st Air & Space Operations Center responded to a call from the Federal Aviation Administration at approximately 8 p.m. Eastern time when radio calls to a civilian pilot went unanswered. F-16 Fighting Falcons flying under the command and control of North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, Continental U.S. NORAD Region, scrambled to make airborne contact with the Cirrus SR-22 aircraft that was bound for Eagle Creek, Indiana from York, Nebraska. The jets made visual contact with the plane at approximately 8:35 p.m. and attempted to gain the pilot's attention through a series of actions, which included radio calls, expending flares and non-verbal cues. The fighters remained with the aircraft as it descended from 25,000 feet at its highest altitude until the SR-22 crashed into a residential area on the Ohio-West Virginia border near Parkersburg, W.V. "The FAA called us for DOD assistance when the pilot failed to change his altitude and radio frequency after direction from ground controllers," said Lt. Col. Ron Hudspeth, senior operations duty officer with the 601st AOC. When the aircraft crashed at 9:55 p.m., the F-16s assisted first responders in locating the impact site by circling the area until Jackson County Sheriff's deputies located the wreckage. Once deputies were on scene, the fighters returned to their home base. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased pilot at this time," said Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, First Air Force commander. "We strive for a safe and positive outcome on incidents such as this, but we lost a fellow aviator yesterday and we extend our deepest sympathy to all who knew him." When asked about the actions taken by members of his organization, the general said, "The synchronized actions and cooperation between the FAA, Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement and the Air Force were extraordinary. It is a reflection of the close interagency relationship we share with federal, state and local organizations, and solidifies our charter mission of homeland defense." The 601st AOC - America's AOC - is responsible for the detection, deterrence, defense and defeat of threats to the citizens of the United States and its critical infrastructure, and remains at the operational level of command and control to monitor all air traffic in the Continental United States. The cause of the accident is under investigation.