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Throttle Blamed For Colorado Jet Crash Near Obama Appearance

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A throttle malfunction on an Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic demonstration jet is being blamed for the jet's crash last June near the Colorado Springs Airport where President Barack Obama was attending an event.

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports the malfunction on the F-16 jet caused the pilot to accidentally turn the engine off.

thunderbird tow
Copter4 flew over as the Thunderbird jet was placed on a semi trailer (credit: CBS)

Air Force investigators cited lax maintenance practices for the June 2 crash and told the Air Force to update its maintenance manuals to prevent similar malfunctions.

The pilot ditched his jet and ejected safely moments after flying over the Air Force Academy's commencement ceremony attended by President Barack Obama.

There were no injuries.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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