2 El Toro-Based Marines Killed in Nevada Crash
- Share via
FALLON, Nev. — The pilot and bombardier-navigator were killed Monday when a Marine A6-E fighter plane crashed near the Fallon Naval Air Station, Marine officials said.
The pilot was identified as Capt. Blake H. Smith, 27, of Boone, Iowa, and the bombardier-navigator was identified as 1st Lt. David A. Riegel, 25, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
The aircraft crashed at 7:50 p.m., two miles west of the Bravo 19 bombing range, about 20 miles south of Fallon during a routine training mission, officials said.
The aircraft and airmen were part of the Marine All Weather Attack Squadron-121 of the Marine Third Aircraft Wing at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.
Gunnery Sgt. Teg Cauley, a spokeswoman at the El Toro base, said an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the crash.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.