Collision in flight, yesterday, for two F / A-18 belonging to the area component of the United States Marine Corps near Miramar, California.
The two fighters of the 3rd MAW Marine were in training off San Diego when they accidentally touched each other. Both pilots managed to launch: the first was immediately recovered and brought to safety by the rescue team (SAR) which took off from the same base. The second pilot was later recovered. The USMC reports him in good health, although he remains in remarks at the Norh Island Naval Air Station. An investigation was opened to identify the causes of the accident.
During this year the USMC had already lost four F-18 and two pilots. Last August, an F-18C crashed near the Fallon Naval Air Station, Nevada (v.articolo). In July another F-18C crashed during a night mission near Twentynine Palms, California. The pilot was killed.
Last June two Super Hornet of the 'Blue Angels' acrobatic squadron were destroyed during training in North Carolina. One of the two pilots, captain of the USMC, was killed.
(Photo: USMC)
