A contractor-operated Douglas A-4K Skyhawk crashed near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada around 7:40 local time, according to the US Air Force.

A civilian contractor pilot working for Draken International ejected during flight but is in safe condition now, Sean Gustafson, vice-president of business development for Draken International tells FlightGlobal. No injuries were sustained on the ground, he adds.

The US National Transportation Safety Board is working to find the cause of the incident and more information will be released by 19 August, Gustafson says.

In 2012, a critically low fuel state in an Israeli-built Kfir F-21C2 (N404AX) single-seat fighter resulted in the fatal crash outside Naval Air Base Fallon, Nevada. The retired Navy fighter pilot killed in the crash, Carroll LeFon, was working for another civilian contractor, the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC). The same firm also lost an A-4 in a 2010 crash while on a government contract.

Source: FlightGlobal.com