Marine Corps jet crash kills pilot near Twentynine Palms

TWENTYNINE PALMS >> A Miramar-based Marine aviator assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing died Thursday when his F/A 18C Hoet crashed in the desert near the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms.

The crash happened during training maneuvers about 10:30 p.m., according to a Marine Corps news release.

The name of the pilot is being withheld until next of kin has been notified.

The crash is under investigation. This crash happens on the heels of a another recent crash off the coast of North Carolina.

In May, two F/A 18 Super Hoets based at the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virgina had “in-flight” mishaps forcing the aircraft to crash in the ocean, according to the Department of the Navy.

All four aviators survived.

In 2008, the pilot of an F/A 18 approaching Miramar ejected as his fighter aircraft crashed sparking at least one house fire.

The F-18 is a supersonic jet used widely in the Marine Corps and Navy and costs taxpayers about $57 million each.

Miramar, well known for its role in the movie “Top Gun,” is home to some 10,000 Marines. It was operated by the Navy until 1996.

Associated Press contributed to this report.