MANISA - Governor Orhan Isin of southwestern province of Manisa said on Monday that a F-4 military plane crashed in Fakran region in Selendi town of the province.
Responding questions of the A.A correspondent, Isin said that gendarme teams had rushed to the area.
Noting that the plane had taken off the First Main Jet Base Command in central province of Eskisehir, Isin said, ''the fire, which broke out after the plane crashed, was extinguished. Gendarme forces have been searching the area. Another team will be taken to the scene of the crash by a helicopter. Gendarme forces told us that they had seen body remains in the scene.''
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said that the plane crashed into a stream among the villages of Fakran, Cikrikci and Terziler, and smashed to pieces.
It was claimed that F-4 military plane which crashed in Selendi was one of planes which were renovated under modernization of F4 Phantom military planes between Turkish Armed Forces and Israel.
PILOTS OF PLANE IDENTIFIED
Pilots of the F-4 military plane were identified as Captain Mehmet Ali Yandim and Flying Officer Mehmet Ata.
Sources told the A.A correspondent on Monday that Yandim and Ata were aboard the plane.
Efforts to remove wreckage of the plane have been continuing.
GENERAL STAFF: PLANE CRASHED DUE TO A TECHNICAL FAILURE
Releasing a statement, the General Staff Press Center stated, ''the F-4 military plane belonged to the First Main Jet Base Command in Eskisehir crashed near Selendi town at about 10.40 local time due to a technical failure. Two pilots aboard the place lost their lives in the crash. A full investigation into the crash is under way.''
(AY) 12.01.2004