Pilot of US F-18 military jet killed after 'accidental' crash near San Diego: Reports

According to American media reports, a United States military jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego, California, on Friday (August 25). In a later update it was said that the pilot who was in the jet had died, reported ABC News citing a defence official.

The media reports citing officials said that the crash involved an F/A-18 Hornet. The MCAS public affairs had said earlier, that the crash was reported just before midnight in a remote part of the base east of Interstate 15.

The report by ABC News, citing an unnamed defence official said that the search and rescue teams recovered the US Marine Corps pilot at the crash site. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in North Carolina issued a statement confirming that the pilot was part of their unit.

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Media reports citing a statement from the base in California reported that the crash took place near an interstate highway around 11:54 pm (local time) and called it “an accident”. According to Fox News, there was only one pilot on board.

The crash also happened during a training flight, reported ABC News. However, the cause of the crash is unknown and an investigation is underway. It was also not immediately clear if it was a single-seater or two-seater jet.

The MCAS public affairs had earlier said there were no indications of damage to property on the ground, reported the local media reports. “The crash site is on government property east of the air station and there are no indications of damage to property on the ground,” said the statement.

The MCAS also said that the aircraft was not part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Miramar (16 kilometers north of downtown San Diego) and was operating of the air station.

(With inputs from agencies)

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