April 1, 2009: The U.S. Air Force is warning civilians to stay away from the area where an F-22 fighter recently crashed. This occurred 55 kilometers northeast of Edwards Air Force Base in California. The crash site, in the Antelope Valley, is a desert area north of Los Angeles, most frequently visited by dirt bike riders and hikers on weekends. The air force is trying to prevent civilians from getting sick, from the components of the aircraft that are toxic. This includes some of the materials used to make the aircraft stealthy and absorb radar signals.
Although the air force has posted security personnel on the roads leading to the crash area, this does not prevent people from getting through, and seeking toxic souvenirs. The air force fears it will later be sued by civilians who take away something toxic, and later become ill.
