A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed on Tuesday after taking off from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany's western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, while the pilot ejected safely and survived the incident.

In a statement, Spangdahlem Air Base said the aircraft crashed at around 2:30 p.m. local time. The pilot successfully activated the ejection seat before the crash and was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

Germany's air traffic control authority said four F-16 fighter jets had been taking part in a training exercise. Two aircraft remained in the training area, while the other two were returning to Spangdahlem Air Base. One of the returning aircraft is believed to have crashed while on approach, while the remaining F-16 landed safely at Ramstein Air Base.

Emergency response teams, including firefighters and medical personnel, were dispatched to the crash site. Authorities said no civilian casualties or damage outside the military installation had been reported.

US military officials said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

"We will provide additional information as it becomes available," the air base said in its statement.

Although some media reports suggested the aircraft may have struck a bird before crashing, US military authorities have not confirmed those reports and have not announced any preliminary findings.

Spangdahlem Air Base is home to the US Air Force's 52nd Fighter Wing, one of Washington's principal tactical air units in Europe. The base plays a key role in US Air Force and NATO training, rapid-response missions and operations across the region.(ILKHA)