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A U.S. Navy single seater F/A-18E fighter jet has crashed in Death Valley, California, according to the Navy. Seven individuals on ground suffered minor injuries, a spokesperson for Death Valley National Park said.
“At approximately 10 a.m. PST, a F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the ‘Vigilantes’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, crashed east of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California,” said Joint Strike Fighter Wing public affairs officer. Lt. Cmdr. Lydia Bock.
“Search and rescue personnel are on scene and the status of the pilot is currently unknown. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.”
Ben Margot/AP, FILE
Two pilots were flying a pair of planes on a training mission, but only one returned, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific commander Captain James Bates said at a press conference on Wednesday. He said it remained unclear whether the pilot was a man or woman and what the pilot’s rank is, but said that the crash occurred six miles north of China Lake.
Patrick Taylor, a spokesperson for Death Valley National Park, said the park received a report around 10 a.m. PT from the Panamint Springs Resort that a military plane had crashed on the west side of Death Valley near Father Crowley Overlook in an area known as Star Wars Canyon.
At approximately 10:00 a.m PST an F/A-18E crashed near @NAWS_CL. Search-and-rescue efforts are underway.
— flynavy (@flynavy) July 31, 2019
The area has been used for military training flights since the 1930s, Taylor said, and regularly attracts tourists who want to get a glimpse of military pilots in action weaving through the narrow canyon in maneuvers reminiscent of the Star Wars movie.
Seven individuals on ground suffered minor injuries.
The Father Crowley Overlook has been temporarily closed. Emergency responders from the park, military, and Inyo County have been dispatched to the scene.
This is a breaking story. Please check back from updates.
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