Pilot of jet followed procedure, Marines say

Marine Corps brass told members of Congress on Thursday that the pilot of the F/A-18D Hornet that crashed into a neighborhood Monday was following standard procedures in attempting an emergency landing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

The pilot had no choice but to eject at 2,200 feet when his plane lost power in its second engine, the Marine generals said during a closed-door briefing in Washington.

The Marines said the plane lost power in its right engine soon after it took off from the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, operating about 50 miles off the San Diego coast. The pilot was advised by air controllers to make an emergency landing at Miramar, but when the plane was over land the left engine also lost power.

The F/A-18D is designed to fly on one engine, and a double-engine failure is virtually unknown, the Marines told the congressional delegation.

Some residents have asked why the plane was not diverted to North Island Naval Air Station, where the approach could have been over water.

But Marine officials said that an approach to Miramar was considered safe, even with one engine.

After the pilot ejected, the plane crashed into a two-story home in University City, killing two women and two baby girls. The pilot ejected safely.

-- Tony Perry