Iranian authorities have appealed to the public for help in locating a pilot after shooting down a U.S. fighter jet in a mountainous area. U.S. officials have reported rescuing one pilot, while another remains missing.
On 3 Apr 2026 GMT+7, a U.S. fighter jet was shot down in Iran. U.S. officials told the media they have rescued one crew member from the crash, but the fate of the other crew member remains unclear.
Reports indicate the aircraft involved may have been an F-15 fighter jet that crashed in southern Iran. A search and rescue operation was promptly launched to assist the crew members.
Previously, Iranian authorities urged local residents in the southwestern mountainous region to help search for the crew, even offering a reward for anyone able to capture the pilot. This marks the first reported incident of a U.S. fighter jet being shot down on Iranian soil since the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran began on 28 Feb 2026 GMT+7.
Iranian state media released images of wreckage said to be from the downed plane, showing large metal debris loaded onto trucks. However, there has been no official confirmation from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the Middle East.
Military aviation experts noted that if a pilot ejects in enemy territory, it is crucial to hide and send location signals to rescue teams. Pilots carry communication devices, signal transmitters, and basic survival gear to aid in rescue efforts.
Source: AFP