Air Force Has Identified Those On Board The Aircraft

A U-28 surveillance aircraft went down March 14 in New Mexico, resulting in the fatal injury of the three airmen on board.

The U.S. Air Force said in a news release that the plane went down on a training mission about one quarter-mile east of Clovis Municipal Airport at about 6:50 p.m. local time March 14. The remains were transported to Albuquerque for autopsy.

The USAF has identified the persons on board as Capt. Andrew Becker, 33, a pilot for the 318th Special Operations Squadron. He was from Novi, Michigan, and is survived by his spouse, mother and father.

Capt. Kenneth Dalga, 29, was a combat systems officer for the 318th SOS. He was from Goldsboro, North Carolina, and is survived by his spouse, son and mother.

First Lt. Frederick Dellecker, 26, was a co-pilot for the 318th SOS. He was from Daytona Beach, Florida, and is survived by his mother and father.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of those involved in this tragic accident,” said Col. Ben Maitre, the wing commander. “In doing so, our focus is to also support our larger air commando community as we prioritize safe mission accomplishment in both our training and operational commitments.”

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

(USAF image. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.af.mil