SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say an Air Force pilot had no opportunity to eject after a collision between two F-16 fighter jets offshore, and Coast Guard searchers say they’ve shifted efforts to finding his body and recovering the plane’s wreckage.A search for Capt. Nicholas Giglio, missing since Thursday night’s crash, had involved Coast Guard helicopters, ships and private volunteers scouring some 8,000 square miles of Atlantic waters. Authorities said Saturday investigators believe Giglio died instantly during a night training exercise.The Coast Guard had spent nearly two days conducting the search for the pilot in waters about 40 miles northeast of Charleston. Capt. Michael McAllister, director for the search, described that effort as exhaustive.
Air Force: Missing pilot had no chance to eject
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October 17, 2009