Watch 2008 San Diego F/A-18 Crash Video

The San Diego F/A-18 crash was the crash of a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet in a residential suburb of San Diego, California on December 8, 2008. The pilot, First Lieutenant Dan Neubauer from VMFAT-101, was the only crewmember on board the two-seat aircraft; he ejected successfully, landing in a tree. The jet crashed into the University City residential area, destroying two houses...  MORE

The San Diego F/A-18 crash was the crash of a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet in a residential suburb of San Diego, California on December 8, 2008. The pilot, First Lieutenant Dan Neubauer from VMFAT-101, was the only crewmember on board the two-seat aircraft; he ejected successfully, landing in a tree. The jet crashed into the University City residential area, destroying two houses and damaging a third. A total of 4 residents in one house, two women and two children, were killed. A USMC investigation concluded that poor maintenance caused the engine malfunction. Errors by the pilot and USMC personnel on the ground led to the aircraft crashing into the San Diego residential neighborhood. As a result, in early 2009 the pilot was temporarily grounded and thirteen other officers and enlisted personnel were relieved and/or disciplined. The Marine Corps notified other F/A-18 squadrons of the engine and fuel problems discovered during the investigation. LESS