PARIS, June 27 (UPI) -- The pilot of a United States Air Force A-10 plane was killed when it crashed Thursday during a training mission over France, the U.S. Air Force announced from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany.
The crash took place southeast of Luneville, France, near the French Polygone Range, the Air Force said in a statement.
The pilot's name was being withheld by the Air Force until his family is notified.
The close-ground aircraft was assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing at the Spandahlem Air Base, and had been dispatched on what the Air Force referred to as a "tactical leadership program-training mission."
The statement offered no details about the time or conditions of the crash. However, it said there were no live or depleted uranium munitions on board the aircraft.
In remarks broadcast on French radio, French Defense Secretary Michele Alliot-Marie sought to dispel the rumor that depleted uranium was on board. "It's a very unfortunate accident which, a priori, has no consequences," Alliot-Marie said.
An investigation into the accident was expected.
