Marine Corps F-18 crashes in California

December 1, 2006

An F/A-18 jet belonging to the US Marines crashed today at the Miramar Air Station in San Diego, California.

The pilot, who ejected safely, was found conscious and did not suffer major injuries said spokesperson for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, Maurice Luque. Luque also confirmed that the pilot was the only person aboard the plane.

The plane crashed about three miles away from Miramar Airfield. The cause of the crash is currently being investigated by the US Marine Corps.

An eyewitness to the event told local television station KUSI-TV that, "...it just pitched down and plummeted straight into the ground."