The pilot of a US air force U-2 spy plane was killed in a crash while returning to base, the US military confirmed Wednesday.
The aircraft had been carrying out a mission in support of operations in Afghanistan, a Pentagon spokesman said. Officials refused to say where the plane came down because of what were described as "host nation sensitivities."
The cause of the crash is not known, but officials said there were no indications of hostile fire.
A spokesman for US central command would only specify "south-west Asia", which can be used as a substitute for the Middle East.
American U-2s operate from an airbase in the United Arab Emirates, although US military officials refuse to discuss this fact at the UAE's request because it is sensitive about US forces being deployed on its territory.
"The crash happened at approximately 11.30pm (GMT) Tuesday," the spokesman said.
"The pilot has been confirmed dead. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time. An investigation board has been set up and will determine its cause."
He said the plane had completed a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the title given to the war in Afghanistan, when it crashed.
"The site of the crash has been secured to ensure the safety of local citizens and the integrity of the site for investigation team members," the spokesman added.
Once a closely held secret, the U-2, which operates at an altitude of more than 21,000 metres, beyond the range of most surface to air missiles, has been in service for decades.
The most famous downing of a U-2 spy plane was on May 1 1960 over Soviet territory. The aircraft was photographing Soviet missile installations, and after parachuting to safety, the pilot, Gary Powers, was captured and later convicted as a spy.
He was held for almost two years before being traded for a KGB man held in the west.
Other U-2 spy planes were later shot down, including one over Cuba during the missile crisis in 1962.
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