El Toro : Cylinder Falls From Fighter After Takeoff
A 50-pound cylinder that provides additional thrust during takeoffs fell from an A-4 Skyhawk shortly after it left the runway Thursday at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Marine officials said.
The Jet Assist Take Off, or JATO, bottle--54 inches long, 9 inches wide and gray in color--was lost somewhere between the airfield and an area about four miles east of the runway. No one has reported any injuries or damage from the falling bottle, which was discovered missing by another pilot flying in formation with the A-4.
The aircraft departed from El Toro shortly after 8:30 a.m. It is attached to Marine Attack Squadron 133, Marine Aircraft Group 42, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station. The squadron is taking its annual two-week summer training.
The Marines ask that anyone who finds the cylinder call the duty officer at (714) 726-3830.
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.
