FRESNO, Calif., Sept. 22 (UPI) — A Navy fighter jet crashed in an open field near Lemoore Naval Air Station, just moments after the pilot ejected midair from the aircraft Monday.
The pilot parachuted to the ground and was unharmed, officials said. Officials declined to name the pilot.
“The individual is conscious and responsive and has been released by the medical community,” Capt. Monty Ashliman, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Lemoore, said. “The pilot is safe.”
The single seat F/A-18E Super Hornet went down in a dirt field about 4 p.m. about three miles from the base. A fire from the crash was extinguished. No one on the ground was hurt.
When the pilot hit the ground, he walked to nearby paramedics. The cause of the crash was under investigation.
