:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/UHZA4QZ5DKNBOLZ3NDNKYKE6KA.jpg "Tragic Crash: Fighter Jet Collides with Military Base in San Diego, Pilot Fatally Injured")
Fighter Jet Crashes into Military Base in San Diego, Pilot Killed
San Diego, United States – In a tragic incident, a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet crashed into a military base located in the Miramar neighborhood of San Diego. The pilot on board was killed instantly, according to a statement released by the Armed Forces. The incident occurred during a training flight on Thursday night, and the cause of the crash is yet to be determined.
The San Diego Fire and Rescue Department launched a search operation for the pilot, who was the only crew member on board the aircraft. However, they had to halt their efforts due to low visibility. Ground crews continued their search throughout the night, and the pilot’s body was eventually found by authorities. The identity of the deceased will be released 24 hours after notifying the next of kin, as per protocol.
The Miramar military base, owned by the government and located north of San Diego, did not sustain any damage as a result of the crash. It is home to the Third Marine Corps Wing, the main aviation unit on the east coast of the United States.
The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet is a highly capable fighter aircraft designed for aircraft carrier operations. It can carry a variety of weapons, including air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface missiles. The Naval Air Systems Command has hailed it as the “workhorse of tactical aviation” for the Marine Corps.
Despite the crash occurring at Miramar base, the aircraft was not affiliated with the Third Marine Corps Wing. It belonged to the Marine Infantry’s All-Terrain Attack Fighter Squadron 224 and operated from MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina.
Tragically, accidents involving military aircraft in the San Diego area are not unprecedented. Earlier this year, two Learjets owned by Phoenix Air crashed near San Clemente Island, resulting in the deaths of all three individuals on board. Additionally, in June 2022, five Marines from Camp Pendleton lost their lives when their MV-22B Osprey crashed during a training mission near Glamis, Imperial.
In a devastating incident in 2008, an F/A-18D fighter jet lost power and crashed into a home in University City, claiming the lives of a baby, a child, their mother, and grandmother. The pilot managed to eject and survived the crash.
The thoughts and condolences of the Second Marine Air Wing are with the pilot’s family during this difficult time. Investigations into the crash will be conducted to determine the cause.