F-18 crash 8 Dec 2008 – timeline narrative by Ron Belanger: 11:57:59 PST: Pilot ejected from his crippled F-18 at 400’ above UC High School. He landed safely near Lippman and Robbins. Source: Command Investigation of the crash by 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar.
Less than 10 seconds later, about 11:58:09 PST, the F-18 crashed into homes on Cather Ave and Huggins in University City causing 4 deaths, catastrophic damage and multiple large fires fed by fuel from the aircraft wreckage. Within seconds, 9-1-1 operators started receiving multiple reports with accurate location information. I wasted several minutes trying to get through to 911 but never got through. I decided that call was no longer needed and headed out the door to the crash site about 5 houses away, grabbing my camera on the way out.
Courtesy of Ron Belanger, view his complete timeline and pictures of the crash scene and aftermath at https://ronbelanger.smugmug.com/F-18-Crash-Dec-2008-timeline/
Citizens Advocating Safe Aviation (CASA) watchdog group was formed by a group of residents in San Diego’s University City neighborhood after the December 8, 2008, crash of an F-18 aircraft which killed four neighbors: two children and their mother and grandmother. It also destroyed several homes and narrowly missed University City High School. For information about the crash and CASA, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/2018/10/14/university-city-residents-form-safe-aviation-watch-group/
Report from San Diego Union Tribune:
- Four die as fighter jet crashes in University City: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-7n9jetdown13318-pilot-ejects-seconds-impact-child–2008dec09-story.html
- Husband, dad goes to site of jet crash: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-1n10jet233238-husband-dad-goes-site-jet-crash-2008dec10-htmlstory.html
From the Internet and contributed by neighbors, crash-related photos and images
For related MCAS Miramar news, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/category/miramar/
For MCAS Miramar operations and contact information, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/mcas-miramar-operations-information-and-contacts/
For information about the Memorial and Tree Dedication held on December 8, 2018, to honor the victims, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/memorial-and-tree-dedication-to-honor-victims-of-fighter-jet-crash/