Photo: 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs / /
Image1of32
Lt. Col. Ira S. Eadie died in a plane crash after leaving the Beale Air Force Base in Yuba County for a training mission, officials said.
Lt. Col. Ira S. Eadie died in a plane crash after leaving the Beale Air Force Base in Yuba County for a training mission, officials said.
Photo: 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs / /Image2of32
The wreckage of a U-2 spy plane that crashed after taking off from Beale Air Force Base on a training mission in Northern California, is seen Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. The U.S. Air Force says one pilot was killed, and one was injured after they ejected from the plane. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP) lessThe wreckage of a U-2 spy plane that crashed after taking off from Beale Air Force Base on a training mission in Northern California, is seen Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. The U.S. Air Force says one pilot was ... morePhoto: Hector Amezcua, APImage3of32
A firefighter puts water on the flames of a fire caused when a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. One pilot was killed and another injured when they ejected from the plane shortly after taking off from Beale Air Force base on a training mission. lessA firefighter puts water on the flames of a fire caused when a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. One pilot was killed and ... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli, APImage4of32
Colonel Larry Broadwell, commander of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and Beale Air Force base, near Marysville, Calif., pauses while talking to reporters about the crash of a U-2 spy plane Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. One pilot was killed and another injured when they ejected from the plane shortly after taking off from Beale, on a training mission. lessColonel Larry Broadwell, commander of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and Beale Air Force base, near Marysville, Calif., pauses while talking to reporters about the crash of a U-2 spy plane Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. ... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli, APImage5of32
A U.S. Air Force Hazmat team inspects the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. One pilot was killed and another injured when they ejected from the plane shortly after taking off from Beale Air Force base on a training mission. lessA U.S. Air Force Hazmat team inspects the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. One pilot was killed and another ... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli, APImage6of32
A U.S. Air Force Hazmat team inspects the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. One pilot was killed and another injured when they ejected from the plane shortly after taking off from Beale Air Force base on a training mission. lessA U.S. Air Force Hazmat team inspects the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. One pilot was killed and another ... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli, APImage7of32
A U.S. Air Force Hazmat team inspects the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. One pilot was killed and another injured when they ejected from the plane shortly after taking off from Beale Air Force base on a training mission. lessA U.S. Air Force Hazmat team inspects the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. One pilot was killed and another ... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli, APImage8of32
A California Highway Patrol helicopter drops water on a fire caused by the crash of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane in the Sutter Butte Mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. The plane had just taken off on a training mission from nearby Beale Air Force Base. The two pilots ejected before the crash. lessA California Highway Patrol helicopter drops water on a fire caused by the crash of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane in the Sutter Butte Mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. The plane had ... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli, APImage9of32
Authorities look over part of the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. The plane had just taken off on a training mission from nearby Beale Air Force Base. The two pilots ejected before the crash. lessAuthorities look over part of the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. The plane had just taken off on a ... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli, APImage10of32
A California Highway Patrol helicopter drops water on a fire caused by the crash of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane in the Sutter Butte Mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. The plane had just taken off on a training mission from nearby Beale Air Force Base. The two pilots ejected before the crash. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
lessA California Highway Patrol helicopter drops water on a fire caused by the crash of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane in the Sutter Butte Mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. The plane had
... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli/APImage11of32
An Air Force senior airman stands guard in front of the burnt U-2 spy plane assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Authorities say two pilots ejected before the crash Tuesday morning in the Sierra Buttes about 60 miles north of Sacramento. The plane was destroyed and a resulting fire scorched several acres. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP)
lessAn Air Force senior airman stands guard in front of the burnt U-2 spy plane assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Authorities say two pilots ejected
... morePhoto: Hector Amezcua/APImage12of32
Authorities look over part of the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. The plane had just taken off on a training mission from nearby Beale Air Force Base. The two pilots ejected before the crash. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
lessAuthorities look over part of the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Yuba City, Calif. The plane had just taken off on a
... morePhoto: Rich Pedroncelli/APImage13of32
FILE - The last crash of a U-2 happened in 1996 in Oroville, Calif. The pilot and one person on the ground were killed.
FILE - The last crash of a U-2 happened in 1996 in Oroville, Calif. The pilot and one person on the ground were killed.
Photo: DENNIS ANDERSON/Associated PressImage14of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2 Dragon Lady flies over the Golden Gate Bridge near San Francisco, California, Mar. 23, 2016. The U-2 is capable of flying at altitudes exceeding 70,000 ft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
lessA U-2 Dragon Lady flies over the Golden Gate Bridge near San Francisco, California, Mar. 23, 2016. The U-2 is capable of flying at altitudes exceeding 70,000 ft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M.
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Robert Trujillo/9th Reconnaissance WingImage15of32|Flying the U-2
A view of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range from a U-2 Dragon Lady, flying over California, Mar. 23, 2016. The original U-2A first flew in August 1955. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
A view of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range from a U-2 Dragon Lady, flying over California, Mar. 23, 2016. The original U-2A first flew in August 1955. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
Photo: Staff Sgt. Robert Trujillo/9th Reconnaissance WingImage16of32|Flying the U-2
A U- 2 Dragon Lady approaches an altitude near 70,000 ft. above California, Mar. 23, 2016. The pilot must wear a full-pressure suit similar to NASA astronaut suits. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
lessA U- 2 Dragon Lady approaches an altitude near 70,000 ft. above California, Mar. 23, 2016. The pilot must wear a full-pressure suit similar to NASA astronaut suits. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M.
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Robert Trujillo/9th Reconnaissance WingImage17of32|Flying the U-2
Maintainers from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron salutes U-2 pilot Capt. Travis as he prepares for a "high flight."
Maintainers from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron salutes U-2 pilot Capt. Travis as he prepares for a "high flight."
Photo: Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan/U.S. Air ForceImage18of32|Flying the U-2
U-2 pilot Capt. Travis prepares to enter the cockpit of a U-2 Dragon Lady as Staff Sgt. Heather Doyle assists in the "hook up."
U-2 pilot Capt. Travis prepares to enter the cockpit of a U-2 Dragon Lady as Staff Sgt. Heather Doyle assists in the "hook up."
Photo: Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan/U.S. Air ForceImage19of32|Flying the U-2
Maintenance personnel from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron standby as Capt. Travis and Staff Sgt. Heather Doyle prepare the cockpit of a U-2 Dragon Lady, Jan. 8, 2013, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. It takes dozens of personnel to prepare, launch and recover each of the 33 U-2s assigned to Beale Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Buchanan/Released)
lessMaintenance personnel from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron standby as Capt. Travis and Staff Sgt. Heather Doyle prepare the cockpit of a U-2 Dragon Lady, Jan. 8, 2013, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. It
... morePhoto: Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan/U.S. Air ForceImage20of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2S Dragon Lady prepares to taxi from the Beale Air Force Base flightline, Jan. 8, 2013. While the first U-2 was built in 1955, the aircraft has evolved over the nearly 60 years it has been in service. The current model U-2S models were built in the late 1980s and are over 30 percent larger than the original U-2A. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Buchanan/Released)
lessA U-2S Dragon Lady prepares to taxi from the Beale Air Force Base flightline, Jan. 8, 2013. While the first U-2 was built in 1955, the aircraft has evolved over the nearly 60 years it has been in service. The
... morePhoto: Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan/U.S. Air ForceImage21of32|Flying the U-2
U-2 pilot Capt. Travis utilizes a specialized bottle to drink an energy drink prior to flight in a U-2, Jan. 8, 2013, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Due to the long duration of flights, U-2 pilots must utilize specialized equipment to drink and eat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Buchanan/Released)
lessU-2 pilot Capt. Travis utilizes a specialized bottle to drink an energy drink prior to flight in a U-2, Jan. 8, 2013, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Due to the long duration of flights, U-2 pilots must utilize
... morePhoto: Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan/U.S. Air ForceImage22of32|Flying the U-2
U-2 pilot Capt. Travis prepares to exit a physiological support vehicle on the flightline, Jan. 8, 2013, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Beale is home to the Air Force's fleet of 33 U-2 high-altitude Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Buchanan/Released)
lessU-2 pilot Capt. Travis prepares to exit a physiological support vehicle on the flightline, Jan. 8, 2013, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Beale is home to the Air Force's fleet of 33 U-2 high-altitude
... morePhoto: Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan/U.S. Air ForceImage23of32|Flying the U-2
U-2 pilot Capt. Travis dawns the sun visor on his pressure suit helmet during pre-flight suit dawning in preparation for a "high flight."
U-2 pilot Capt. Travis dawns the sun visor on his pressure suit helmet during pre-flight suit dawning in preparation for a "high flight."
Photo: Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan/U.S. Air ForceImage24of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2 Dragon Lady flies above the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, California, Mar. 23, 2016. The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude/near space reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft which delivers critical imagery and signals intelligence to decision makers throughout all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, low-intensity conflict, and large-scale hostilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
lessA U-2 Dragon Lady flies above the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, California, Mar. 23, 2016. The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude/near space reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft which
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Robert Trujillo/9th Reconnaissance WingImage25of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2 Dragon Lady flies over the Golden Gate Bridge near San Francisco, California, Mar. 23, 2016. The U-2 is capable of flying at altitudes exceeding 70,000 ft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
lessA U-2 Dragon Lady flies over the Golden Gate Bridge near San Francisco, California, Mar. 23, 2016. The U-2 is capable of flying at altitudes exceeding 70,000 ft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M.
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Robert Trujillo/9th Reconnaissance WingImage26of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2 Dragon Lady flies above the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, California, Mar. 23, 2016. The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude/near space reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft which delivers critical imagery and signals intelligence to decision makers throughout all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, low-intensity conflict, and large-scale hostilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)
lessA U-2 Dragon Lady flies above the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, California, Mar. 23, 2016. The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude/near space reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft which
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Robert Trujillo/9th Reconnaissance WingImage27of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2 Dragon Lady, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., prepares to touch down at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 9, 2015. During a landing, pilots stall the plane two feet off the ground to avoid damaging the aircraft upon impact. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton/Released)
lessA U-2 Dragon Lady, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., prepares to touch down at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 9, 2015. During a landing, pilots stall the plane two feet off the ground to avoid damaging the
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Jarad Denton/501st Combat Support WingImage28of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2 Dragon Lady from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., prepares to land at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 17, 2015. The aircraft was on display during an air show Sept. 19, 2015. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the U-2, one of the oldest operational aircraft in the Department of Defense.
lessA U-2 Dragon Lady from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., prepares to land at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 17, 2015. The aircraft was on display during an air show Sept. 19, 2015. This year marks the 60th
... morePhoto: Senior Airman Bobby Cummings/9th Reconnaissance WingImage29of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2 Dragon Lady, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., prepares to land at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 9, 2015. U-2 pilots have a small margin of space to effectively land the plane without causing damage to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton/Released)
lessA U-2 Dragon Lady, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., prepares to land at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 9, 2015. U-2 pilots have a small margin of space to effectively land the plane without causing damage
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Jarad Denton/501st Combat Support WingImage30of32|Flying the U-2
U.S. Air Force airmen push down on the wing of a U-2 Dragon Lady after its landing at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 9, 2015. If the aircraft lands slightly off balance, it has the potential to tilt to one side or another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton/Released)
lessU.S. Air Force airmen push down on the wing of a U-2 Dragon Lady after its landing at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 9, 2015. If the aircraft lands slightly off balance, it has the potential to tilt to one
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Jarad Denton/501st Combat Support WingImage31of32|Flying the U-2
A U-2 Dragon Lady, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., taxis down the flightline at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 9, 2015. During a landing, pilots stall the plane two feet off the ground to avoid damaging the aircraft upon impact. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton/Released)
lessA U-2 Dragon Lady, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., taxis down the flightline at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 9, 2015. During a landing, pilots stall the plane two feet off the ground to avoid damaging
... morePhoto: Staff Sgt. Jarad Denton/501st Combat Support WingImage32of32
Pilot killed in Northern California U-2 plane crash IDd
1 / 32
Back to Gallery
An Air Force pilot killed after a U-2 spy plane he was in crashed about 50 miles north of Sacramento during a routine exercise was identified by military officials Wednesday as a field grade officer.
Lt. Col. Ira S. Eadie died in a Tuesday morning crash that left another pilot with non-life-threatening injuries after both ejected from a plane that had left Beale Air Force Base in Yuba County.
Officials at the base, east of Marysville, said the two-seat training plane had taken off shortly before the wreck, which occurred about 9 a.m. The impact sparked a blaze that consumed a little more than 250 acres of vegetation, authorities said.
The plane was in the middle of a training mission at the time, said Brooke Brzozowske, a spokeswoman for the Air Force. Officials said at a Wednesday news conference the crash was under investigation and further details would not be released.
The surviving pilot was “in good condition at a local medical facility,” authorities said.
The last U-2 plane that crashed out of Beale was in 1996, when the aircraft landed in a busy commercial area of Oroville, killing the pilot and a person on the ground.
U-2s can reach speeds in excess of 400 mph and fly as high as 70,000 feet, or more than 13 miles. The military uses them to collect imagery and signals for intelligence analysts.
Chronicle staff writer Kimberly Veklerov contributed to this report.
Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno