A military jet fighter crashed in Air Station Miramar today, just seconds after the pilot ejected from the aircraft. Officials say the pilot survived. KPBS Radio’s Andrew Phelps reports.
Military officials say the pilot of the F-18 jet fighter parachuted safely to the ground. He was rescued from a canyon near Scripps Ranch and rushed to a military hospital at Miramar. A Marine Corps spokesman says the man does not have appear to have any major injuries.
The crash was in an unpopulated area and did not threaten any people or structures. Maurice Luque is a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Luque says the crash did cause a 10 acre grass fire that was quickly contained. The F/A-18 Super Hornet can reach speeds of 1,200 miles per hour and costs upwards of $50 million. The cause of the crash is unknown, and the Marine Corps is investigating. For KPBS, I’m Andrew Phelps.
