F-22 pilot presumed dead

The pilot of a F-22 Raptor fighter jet has died in the airplane crash near Cantwell. Air Force officials said that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence that the pilot did not survive the crash. The pilot was identified as Air Force Capt. Jeffrey Haney, of Clarklake, Michigan. Air Force Col. Jack McMullen, 3rd Wing commander said that evidence showed that captain Haney did not eject from the aircraft prior to impact. A recovery team at the crash site found a part of the ejection seat, along with several life support items that captain Haney wore during the flight. The Raptor crashed on Tuesday, Nov. 16, after it lost contact with air traffic control Tuesday evening. The F-22 was on a nighttime training mission. Search and rescue aircraft from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 11th Rescue Coordination Center discovered the wreckage of the aircraft on Wednesday in a remote, rugged area approximately 200 miles north of Anchorage near Denali National Park. Recovery operations are still underway and are expected to last several weeks. An Air Force safety investigation board is investigating to determine the cause of the crash.