3 Killed in San Diego Jet Crash

Student pilot blames mechanical problem in Marine fighter jet
By Ambreen Ali,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 9, 2008 2:12 AM CST
3 Killed in San Diego Jet Crash
The pilot lies on the lawn of a house in San Diego after ejecting safely from a fighter jet that crashed yesterday.   (AP Photo/Courtesy Dawn Lyons)

Two adults and an infant were killed in a house destroyed by fire when a student pilot smashed a Marine fighter jet into a San Diego street yesterday, reports CNN. Another adult in the house is missing. Debris flew between homes, setting three on fire and destroying two.  The tragedy occurred as the pilot was trying to reach a nearby Marine Corps air base. He safely ejected just moments before the crash.

Neighbors were evacuated because of concerns about toxic fumes. The pilot attributed the crash to a mechanical problem. “He held on as long as could. At the last second, the pilot parachuted out,” said a witness. A teacher at a nearby school said the plane was unusually quiet as it clipped treetops and dove to the ground.
(More fighter jet stories.)

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