A Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 crashed during a routine training flight near Rimrock Lake, Washington, on June 13. The pilot ejected moments before impact and was found by first responders walking toward them with blood on his face. Bodycam footage released Friday by the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office captures the aviator’s first moments after the crash, including his call to 911 and a conversation with emergency personnel.
The pilot, identified by CBS News as a Marine major but not confirmed by the Corps, described the incident as a sudden loss of control during low-level training. He told responders he was unsure what happened, saying, “I’m a little bit frazzled.” The jet spiraled into the ground and exploded on impact, though the aviator suffered only minor injuries and was taken to a hospital.
This crash is one of several recent U.S. military aviation incidents, including a Marine F-35B crash in California last month and a fatal B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base. The Marine Corps has not commented beyond its initial statement, citing an ongoing investigation.
