US fighter crashes off northeast England

An American fighter jet has crashed into the North Sea while on a training exercise off the northeast coast of England.

The US Air Force F-15C Eagle, from the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed on Monday around 9:40am.

The status of the pilot is not known and a search and rescue operation is under way.

"At the time of the accident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board," the 48th Fighter Wing said in a statement.

"The cause of the crash as well as the status of the pilot are unknown at this time, and UK Search and Rescue have been called to support."