A Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet aircraft crashed into a mountainside near Rimrock Lake in Washington state on June 13, resulting in a wildfire and the ejection of the pilot, who survived with minor injuries. Bodycam footage released by the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office on August 14 shows authorities encountering the pilot shortly after the incident.
Immediate Response and Core Facts
The pilot, assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based in Miramar, California, was conducting routine low-level training when the aircraft experienced an unspecified issue. The pilot ejected before the jet struck the mountainside, creating a visible plume of smoke and igniting a wildfire in the area approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle. Authorities reported that the pilot sustained minor lacerations to the face and appeared shaken but otherwise unharmed.
In the released footage, the pilot is seen approaching deputies with a phone in hand, displaying a 911 call on the screen. When asked about the type of aircraft, the pilot identified it as an F/A-18 Hornet and stated, “That was an F-18.” He described the training exercise as involving “circles over the lake” before the mishap occurred. The pilot later made a call to alert others, stating, “Hey, buddy, I just crashed.” A parachute was also visible hanging from a tree in the footage.
Official Statements and Investigation Status
The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed the incident in a news release, describing it as a non-fatal aviation mishap during routine training. The statement did not provide further details on the cause of the crash, noting that the investigation remains ongoing. The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office released the bodycam footage as part of their documentation of the response effort.
Context and Background
The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine multirole combat jet used by the U.S. Marine Corps for training and operational missions. Such aircraft are commonly involved in low-altitude training exercises, which carry inherent risks. The crash occurred in a remote, forested area, complicating initial response efforts and contributing to the wildfire’s ignition. No civilian injuries or property damage beyond the wildfire have been reported in connection with the incident.
Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the pilot’s condition beyond the minor injuries noted in the footage. The investigation into the cause of the crash is being led by military and civilian aviation authorities, with no timeline provided for the completion of the inquiry.