CORONADO, California A U.S. Marine Corps Boeing F/A-18C Hornet fighter assigned to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Naval Air S...
A U.S. Marine Corps Boeing F/A-18C Hornet fighter assigned to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nevada, crashed on Saturday at approximately 3 p.m. PST on a U.S. Navy range training complex, approximately 70 miles east of NAS Fallon. The aircraft was conducting a training flight prior to the crash. The pilot was killed in the crash.
The Marine Corps F/A-18C was on loan to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center for use as a training aircraft. Initial reports from the scene indicate the aircraft is a total loss. It took Navy personnel several hours to reach the crash site as it was located in remote, rugged, mountainous terrain. A snow storm overnight in the area also hindered the effort.
The twin engined fighter is the mainstay of US Marines's strike fleet operating from aircraft carriers. The no of crashes involving F/A-18 fighter has increased recently.Navy and Lander County Nevada Sheriff's Office personnel continue to search for the pilot.
NSAWC provides naval aviation training and tactics development, service to aircrews, squadrons and air wings throughout the United States Navy through flight training, academic instructional classes, and direct operational and intelligence support.It provides highly advanced tactical training in the F/A-18 including tactics, hardware and threat training.
