Military Power

A recent crash occurred in a San Diego, CA residential area. The F/A-18D Hornet was destined to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, however and unfortunately, the fighter crashed two miles from the base into a housing development, killing three on the ground and injuring the pilot.

One resident viewed the incoming aircraft and stated that it had seem to be flying a little low, however no black smoke was visible from the jet.

Kurt Miller, who lives a few blocks from the crash site, told the BBC he had seen the jet coming in and thought it "seemed a little low".

"I did not notice billowing black smoke from the engines or anything, however there were some noticeable fumes, which I originally just thought was exhaust," he said.

"I did not realise until about 40 minutes later, on my way back to work, that they jet had actually crashed... barely missing the local high school."

This is truly a tragic event, which will most likely spread much scrutiny about U.S. Military bases around the country. The residents have been complaining about frequent military air craft flying over residential areas.

The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Los Angeles says there have been concerns voiced by local people in the past about the frequency of flights by military aircraft over residential areas in California.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7772344.stm

The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Los Angeles says there have been concerns voiced by local people in the past about the frequency of flights by military aircraft over residential areas in California.

They have our sympathy, It must be truely irritating to have your busy day sitting by the pool sipping Martinis ruined by low flying aircraft (LOL).

We know that this is how all Californians live-We've seen it on the Movies (Haven't we?)

In January, 1996, an F-14 which had stopped in Nashville for refueling crashed on take-off. 5 people died in that accident and 3 homes were destroyed, however it could have been worse. 2 of the fatalities were the Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer on the F-14 who stayed with the aircraft steering it away from the business park that was full and towards a residential area where there would be less fatalities.

Hobilar wrote:

The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Los Angeles says there have been concerns voiced by local people in the past about the frequency of flights by military aircraft over residential areas in California.

They have our sympathy, It must be truely irritating to have your busy day sitting by the pool sipping Martinis ruined by low flying aircraft (LOL).

We know that this is how all Californians live-We've seen it on the Movies (Haven't we?)

Yes, we all have. Dreadful Beverly Hills. But do you know what kind of movies I really like? The Mr. Bean ones. They are really, truly masterpieces. In fact, I think Mr. Bean would make an amazing spy. He could fool anyone

AmericanPride wrote:

Hobilar wrote:

The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Los Angeles says there have been concerns voiced by local people in the past about the frequency of flights by military aircraft over residential areas in California.

They have our sympathy, It must be truely irritating to have your busy day sitting by the pool sipping Martinis ruined by low flying aircraft (LOL).

We know that this is how all Californians live-We've seen it on the Movies (Haven't we?)

Yes, we all have. Dreadful Beverly Hills. But do you know what kind of movies I really like? The Mr. Bean ones. They are really, truly masterpieces. In fact, I think Mr. Bean would make an amazing spy. He could fool anyone

Please try to stay on topic

There must have been something major malfunction to bring down a twin engine aircraft that suddenly.....maybe birds injested into the engines or a major problem with fuel reaching the engines.

Has there been any report at all on the reason for this aircraft to plummet to the ground on approach?

george babony wrote:There must have been something major malfunction to bring down a twin engine aircraft that suddenly.....maybe birds injested into the engines or a major problem with fuel reaching the engines.

Has there been any report at all on the reason for this aircraft to plummet to the ground on approach?

This is the newest info I have found...

No official initial finding of the cause of the crash was given, but a congressional aide who had been briefed on the crash said the pilot had been attempting to land at Miramar after his right engine malfunctioned. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was not yet public.

While the pilot was on final approach to the runway the aircraft also lost thrust from its left engine, and the pilot ejected, the aide said Tuesday.

Source

Well I have an update on this event, according to sources and a report, the F18 was in trouble the moment it left the carrier on the way to Miramar. An oil leak shut down 1 engine then the pilot had trouble with a fuel problem. Now disiplinary action against those involved is being made public.

full story: http://news.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/abc/wo ... =jet-crash

Military officials have said that after the first engine faltered, Miramar was a straight shot and that going to North Island would have required more engine thrust.

A Marine Corps spokesman, Maj. Manuel Delarosa, in December declined to disclose the plane's location when the engine trouble began or whether the aircraft was capable of reaching Coronado, citing the ongoing investigation.

In private briefings with members of Congress, military officials have reportedly said there were factors that made landing at North Island unfeasible, but those issues have not been disclosed publicly.

Service officials in Washington, D.C., told lawmakers Tuesday that 13 Marines have been disciplined for errors that led to the crash. They said four officers at Miramar have been relieved of duty for directing the Hornet to fly over the residential area, while nine other military personnel received lesser reprimands.

Source for both. (I notice that as information is available the story in the link gets edited, some information gets removed, other info gets added, and still others change.)

This story has conflicting reports. if there were factors that made landing at North Island unfeasible, why punish people for not choosing an unfeasible option?