A Marine Corps pilot from Miramar is safe after ejecting from an F/A-18 Hornet during a training flight in Washington State on Saturday.
Officials at Air Station Miramar said in a statement that the jet assigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing “experienced a non-fatal aviation mishap” around noon during a training mission approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle.
“The pilot ejected safely and was recovered by the local sheriff’s department,” according to the statement.
The stricken jet crashed near Rimrock Lake, sparking a wildfire that was extinguished by a volunteer fire department in Yakima County.
“Naches Fire is currently on scene of a down military aircraft in the area of Rimrock Lake. The pilot safely ejected and was transported to the hospital. The crash sparked a wildfire that is currently being suppressed by helicopters and at least one engine from U.S. Forest Service,” according to the fire department.
The Marine Corps said the cause of the mishap is currently under investigation and no other details were immediately available.
