A U.S. F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed in San Diego by Marine Corps Air Station Miramar late Thursday night, officials said, prompting search and rescue operations.
“We are aware of an accident involving an F/A-18 Hornet in the vicinity of MCAS Miramar at 11:54 P.M. PST,” Marine Corps Air Station Miramar officials stated in a press release posted on Facebook. “The crash site is on government property east of the air station and there are no indications of damage to property on the ground.”
A spokesperson for the military told Fox News that the crash occurred east of the base and that one person was onboard the military jet. ABC News reported that the crash was located close to Interstate 15. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is located roughly 15 miles north of downtown San Diego.
An official confirmed that the F/A-18 was participating in a training flight when the aircraft crashed overnight. The current condition of the F/A-18 Hornet pilot has not been yet been released.
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar officials announced Friday that search and rescue operations are underway, and authorities have launched an investigation of the crash.
READ MORE: Russian spacecraft crashes into moon, failing miserably
According to NBC News, a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department helicopter was involved in the search for the aircraft between 3:48 a.m. and 4:21 a.m. on Friday.
“We will provide more information as it becomes available,” officials stated.
The F/A-18 Hornet is described by the U.S. Navy as America’s “first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft.” The aircraft played an important role during Operation Desert Storm.
“The F/A-18 Hornet remains the workhorse of Marine Corps tactical aviation, and supports operational deployments around the globe,” the Navy states. “It will serve as the Marine Corps’ primary bridging platform to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter until its planned sundown in 2030.”
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
