Investigation Reveals Avoidable Errors Led to Fatal Marine Corps Plane Crash

A pilot struggling to control a Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet plane bypassed a safe landing opportunity at a coastal Navy base and instead attempted to land at an inland base, where the plane ultimately crashed into a San Diego neighborhood, killing four members of the same family, including two children. Military officials have disciplined 13 Marines for a series of mechanical and human errors that led to the crash, with Colonel John Rupp, operations officer for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, describing the incident as "collectively bad decision-making."

Key Takeaways:

• The pilot of the F/A-18D Hornet was offered multiple chances to land the plane at the Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado but chose to fly the jet to the inland Miramar base instead.
• The decision to fly the plane over a residential area led to the crash of the Hornet, which caused significant damage to homes and resulted in the deaths of four people.
• Four officers at Miramar were relieved of duty for failing to follow safety procedures and allowing the Hornet to fly over the residential area.
• Nine other military personnel received lesser reprimands for their roles in the incident.
• The Marine Corps released recordings of conversations between federal air controllers and the pilot, which disclosed the events leading up to the crash.
• The incident was described as "a tragic incident that could have been prevented" by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.

Statistics:

• 13 Marines were disciplined for their roles in the crash.
• 4 officers were relieved of duty for failing to follow safety procedures.
• 9 other military personnel received lesser reprimands.
• The crash occurred on December 8.
• The plane was an F/A-18D Hornet.
• 4 people were killed in the incident, including 2 children.

Sources:

• "Recordings Reveal Tragic Marine Corp Plane Crash," uncredited, The Associated Press San Diego, Tuesday.
• "Marine Corps Disciplines 13 Personnel for Fatal Plane Crash," uncredited, The Associated Press San Diego, Tuesday.
• Interview with Col. John Rupp, operations officer for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
• Statement from Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.