Fighter Jets ‘Clip Wings’ Outside of Va.

When two fighter jets with top speeds of 1,500 mph come into contact mid flight, there’s certainly the possibility of disaster.  

There is also a possibility, however, that both pilots will escape with only minor injuries and one will even be able to fly back to base unassisted.

No one was seriously injured Thursday, when two F-16C Fighting Falcons did come into contact during a training mission about 70 miles from Washington, D.C, according to a statement from the 113th Wing, DC National Guard.

The pilots were on a routine training mission off the coast of Chincoteague, Va. At about 10:30 p.m. when one the two planes “clipped wings,” according tot the statement. One pilot safely ejected from his plane and was recovered by members of the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City about two hours later.

The second pilot was able to return to Joint Base Andrews safely.

"Our partners here at Joint Base Andrews and the Coast Guard did a fantastic job of supporting us through this unfortunate circumstance," Brig. Gen. Marc Sasseville, 113th Wing Commander, said in the statement.

"The military has some of the best and most highly-trained people in the world, which reduced the potential magnitude of this incident."

The National Guard is not releasing the names of the two pilots, but said both were taken to Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic and Surgery; one was released, the other taken to Bethesda Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. 

The National Guard will release more information when it becomes available, according to the statement. 

"Training is the foundation for everything we do," Brig. Gen. Sasseville said in the statement. "The mishap is under investigation and our findings will be used to continually improve our operations to provide the safest possible training."

As soon as more information is available, the 113th Wing will issue a follow-on release.

The 113th Wing, DC Air National Guard, provides air sovereignty forces to defend the Nation's Capital, and also provides fighter, airlift and support forces capable of local, national and global employment.