Latest Marine Jet Crash Spurs Flight Cutback
The latest crash of an FA-18 Hornet has prompted the commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro to discontinue over-the-ocean night training exercises of the fighter until officials can determine the cause of a series of engine fires.
Maj. Gen. D.E.P. Miller said Wednesday that there did not appear to be a “common thread” to link the engine fires in supersonic FA-18s flown by the Marines, Navy and the Canadian military. Miller, whose wing has 36 of the $23-million, single-seat fighter planes, said four of nine crashes of the jet fighter this year were caused by fires.
On Monday night, the pilot of an FA-18 flying near San Clemente Island 60 miles west of San Diego reported a fire in his right engine and then bailed out. A Navy helicopter rescued him from the water.
Miller said the pilot was lucky to be found at night. He said until the engine fire problem is solved, no more night flights over water will be made.
“If he had been out there over night, he probably would not have made it,” Miller said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
