F/A-18 Hornet crashes in Washington state, wildfire subsequently reported
The Marine Corps says the cause remains under investigation after the jet crashed during a routine training exercise and sparked a wildfire.
- On Saturday, a pilot safely ejected from an F/A-18 Hornet after an aviation mishap 55 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, near Rimrock Lake during a routine training exercise.
- The jet, assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was conducting routine training when a wildfire erupted shortly after the crash, requiring Naches Fire Department and Forest Service intervention.
- Law enforcement transported the pilot to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, while the Defense Department reported in November 2025 a sizable uptick in aviation mishaps.
- Marine Corps investigators are examining the mishap as Washington state experiences recurring military aviation incidents; two Navy pilots died in an EA-18G Growler crash east of Mount Rainier less than a year ago.
- Fiscal 2024 data shows significant accidents per 100,000 flight hours rose 55% compared to the four years preceding it, reflecting broader military aviation safety concerns amid recurring incidents.
12 Articles
12 Articles
A video currently running on X shows the crash of a US Marine Corps F-18 fighter jet in Washington State.
Marine jet crashes into mountain, erupts in fireball
A Marine pilot ejected from an F/A-18 Hornet shortly before it crashed into a mountainside during a routine training exercise about 55 miles southeast of Seattle. The crash sparked a wildfire with emergency crews rushing to fight it while also evacuating campers from the area. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Marine F/A-18D crashes in Washington
A US Marine Corps pilot safely ejected from an F/A-18D Hornet before the fighter crashed near Rimrock Lake in Washington state on June 13, 2026, sparking a wildfire in rugged terrain near the eastern side of the Cascade Range. The crash happened around midday while the aircraft was conducting a routine training mission, according to local reports citing Marine Corps officials. The pilot was recovered by the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office after e…
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 crashed this weekend into a mountainous area of Washington State in the U.S., causing a forest inn. The pilot managed to eject himself and sustained minor injuries.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
