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. 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, according to officials at Air Station Miramar.
The pilot ejected safely and was recovered by the local sheriff's department. The stricken jet crashed near Rimrock Lake, sparking a wildfire that was quickly extinguished by a volunteer fire department in Yakima County.
The Naches Fire Department reported that the pilot was transported to a hospital for evaluation. The cause of the mishap is under investigation, and no other details were immediately available.
The incident occurred in a remote area, and the wildfire was suppressed by helicopters and at least one engine from the U.S. Forest Service.
The pilot's identity has not been released, and the Marine Corps has not commented on the extent of injuries, if any. The crash site is near Rimrock Lake, a popular recreational area in Yakima County, about 55 miles southeast of Seattle.
The pilot's safe ejection and recovery highlight the effectiveness of the ejection system and the quick response of local emergency services. The Marine Corps is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the mishap and prevent future occurrences.