Remember When 8 Hornets Went Down In A Span Of 6 Months?

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The San Diego Crash

On November 9th, 2016, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar lost one of their F/A-18 Hornet in a midair collision.

The official report which was released within hours of the incident disclosed that at 11:43 a.m. PST two Hornets collided while conducting an exercise over the waters of San Diego. One of the pilot’s plane was in good enough shape for him to fly back to the Naval Air Station North Island, California.

Update: Both pilots in stable condition. See updated press release. pic.twitter.com/AXYJGGcRRf

— MCAS Miramar, 3rdMAW (@MCASMiramarCA) November 9, 2016

The other pilot was forced to eject. A search and rescue party was deployed to locate and retrieve him which happened about an hour later at 12:41 a.m. PST. He seemed to be in good condition.

So Many Accidents

In 2016, the Hornets were really feeling their age. The San Diego crash was just one crash of 8 that would take place within a 6 month period. 8 Hornets were destroyed, one was damaged, and 5 aviators were killed. Luckily we’ve stepped it up since this brutal wake up call!