"An F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet from Marine Aircraft Group 11 experienced a non-fatal incident at noon on 13/6 (early morning Hanoi time), while conducting a routine training mission", the U.S. Marine Corps announced today.
Video footage captured by residents shows the pilot ejecting, while the fighter jet lost altitude before crashing into a mountain and exploding. Local police later found the pilot, confirming that the individual was not in life-threatening danger.
The moment a U.S. F/A-18C fighter jet crashed into a mountain, causing a wildfire on 13/6. Video: TikTok/marissssuuhh
The incident caused a wildfire and necessitated the evacuation of nearby campers. The Naches Fire Department in Washington state reported that the fire was contained. "Water tenders will remain on site and will likely return on 14/6 to assist with mop-up operations and fully extinguish any remaining hot spots", the agency stated.
The cause of the crash has not yet been released. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the parent unit of Marine Aircraft Group 11, announced that it has launched an investigation into the incident.
Marine Aircraft Group 11 is comprised of two F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadrons: Fighter Squadrons 232 and 323.
The F/A-18C Hornet is a single-seat variant of the F/A-18 carrier-based fighter series, produced between 1974 and 2000. The Hornet series was introduced to the U.S. Marine Corps in 1983, with U.S. Navy combat units deploying the aircraft a year later. Each Hornet cost approximately 29 million USD when manufactured, equivalent to about 56 million USD today.
 |
An F/A-18C fighter jet from Squadron 232 training in South Korea in April. Photo: USMC
The U.S. Navy has retired its entire F/A-18 Hornet fleet, transitioning to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet variant, which entered service in 1999. Although sharing the F/A-18 designation and similar external appearance, the Super Hornet is a completely new aircraft with superior technical and tactical capabilities compared to the older Hornet series.
The U.S. Marine Corps has also decommissioned many Hornet units; currently, only 5 squadrons operate this aircraft, with some units preparing to transition to the F-35C stealth fighter.
Nhu Tam (According to NBC News, Seattle Times)
