F/A-18 Hornet Crashes in Washington State National Forest; Pilot Ejects Safely
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet crashed Saturday in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near Rimrock Lake, approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle, during a training mission. The pilot ejected safely and was rescued by local sheriff's personnel before being transported to a nearby hospital with no fatalities reported. A resulting fire burned approximately 15 acres before being extinguished by wildland firefighters.
Highlights
- A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed Saturday during a training mission approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle.
- The pilot ejected safely and was rescued by local sheriff's personnel, with no fatalities or serious injuries reported.
- The crash ignited a fire that burned approximately 15 acres in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near Rimrock Lake before being extinguished.
- Nearby campgrounds were evacuated and several roads closed as wildland firefighters deployed Forest Service engines and helicopters to battle the blaze.
- The Marine Corps has launched an investigation into the cause of the mishap; no official explanation has been released.
F/A-18 Hornet Crashes in Washington State National Forest; Pilot Ejects Safely
Officials at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, issued a statement confirming that a jet aircraft assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing was involved in a "non-fatal aviation mishap" Saturday while conducting a training mission approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle.
According to the official statement, the pilot of the F/A-18 Hornet "ejected safely and was rescued by local sheriff's office personnel." The pilot was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital; no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported.
Crash Site
The aircraft went down in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, southeast of Mount Rainier, near Rimrock Lake — a popular destination for camping and hiking. The crash triggered a fire that prompted the emergency evacuation of nearby campgrounds and the closure of several roads in the area.
At its peak, the fire spread across approximately 15 acres before wildland firefighters, using U.S. Forest Service fire engines and helicopters, brought it under control.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a loud bang from the aircraft and seeing heavy smoke pouring from the fuselage moments before the pilot ejected.
The Marine Corps has not yet released details on the cause of the mishap. An investigation is ongoing.
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