The missing pilot of a U.S. F-15C Eagle aircraft that crashed Wednesday in remote mountains in U.S. State of Virginia has died, according to a statement released by the U.S. National Guard on Friday.
The pilot's name is being withheld pending notification of family members, the statement said.
An official safety investigation board is being convened and an investigation into the crash is ongoing, it said.
The single-seat F-15C Eagle aircraft was en route to Naval Air Station New Orleans to receive a radar system upgrade, it said, adding that the pilot was flying a solo mission when he reported an in-flight emergency prior to the loss of radio contact with Washington Center.