The F-16 fighter jet that crashed during a NATO exercise in Spain on Monday, killing 11, experienced a technical failure during takeoff and the two pilots tried to eject, the French airforce said Thursday.
"What we know is that the crew of the F-16, quite quickly after takeoff, tried to eject, which confirms the technical failure," said General Denis Mercier, the French airforce chief of staff, without giving details of the breakdown that caused the deaths of 11, including nine French military personnel.