Dramatic new footage reveals the second native authorities encountered a pilot who had ejected from a fighter jet earlier than it crashed right into a mountainside in Washington state earlier this summer season.
The F/A-18 Hornet plane slammed right into a mountainside on June 13, within the space of Rimrock Lake, about 55 miles southeast of Seattle, sending a plume of black smoke into the air and igniting a wildfire.
The pilot assigned to Marine Plane Group 11, third Marine Plane Wing, in Miramar, California, is seen together with his face bloodied and showing a bit of shaken up within the physique digicam footage launched Friday by the Yakima County Sheriff’s Workplace.
A nonetheless picture from physique digicam footage launched by the Yakima County Sheriff’s Workplace on Aug. 14, 2026, reveals the moments native authorities encountered a pilot who had ejected from a army jet earlier than it crashed in June.
Yakima County Sheriff’s Workplace
He’s seen approaching deputies together with his cellphone in his hand and 911 on the display screen.
“What sort of jet is that?” the pilot is requested by one of many responders.
“That is an F-18,” he replies. “Effectively, that was an F-18.” He provides, “We have been doing circles over the lake, performing some low-level coaching. …After which I tucked in, and I am undecided precisely.”
“You hit the tree dangerous, bud,” a witness states.
Later, the pilot is seen making a name to alert others to the wreck.
“Hey, buddy, I simply crashed,” the pilot says.
Later within the video, a parachute is seen hanging from a tree.
Responding officers with the sheriff’s division mentioned the pilot’s accidents consisted of minor lacerations to his face.
In a information launch on the time, the third Marine Plane Wing mentioned the pilot was conducting routine coaching when the plane skilled a “non-fatal aviation mishap.”
The reason for the crash remains to be below investigation.
