Pilot Safe After F/A-18F From China Lake Crashes In Death Valley National Park

San Diego CA

06 October, 2021

8:40 PM

Description

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego October 5, 2021 An F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed in Death Valley National Park, but the pilot safely ejected from the stricken craft, the Navy reported Tuesday. The crash occurred at 3 p.m. Monday in a remote area of the park. Navy, Marine and Army search and rescue teams located the pilot, who was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas and released later that day. The aircraft, the latest version of Boeing's Hornet series, was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the Central Valley. The squadron has been testing the newest Block III version of the warplane, but it wasn't immediately clear if this was the type that crashed. The aircraft came down in the southern part of the park. The National Park Service and Navy will work together to coordinate cleanup of the wreckage in the wilderness area. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.