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View Full Version : F-18 crashes into apartments at Virginia Beach

CCIP
04-06-12, 02:17 PM
http://gizmodo.com/5899791/a-navy-fighter-jet-just-crashed-into-virginia-beach-apartment-building?tag=fa18

That first photo really made my jaw drop in shock. Looks like a bad one :(
Hinrich Schwab
04-06-12, 02:20 PM
Yeah, this is a nasty accident. Last I saw, there were reports of a fuel leak or fuel dump from takeoff.
CCIP
04-06-12, 02:21 PM
Yes, I wonder what went wrong. I immediately thought of this crash just a couple of years back: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_San_Diego_F/A-18_crash

I hope this isn't a bad sign for the state which these older F/A-18s are in. It does, however, sound like a technical problem on the surface of it. At least the pilots are safe.
Osmium Steele
04-06-12, 02:34 PM
One of the ETs from our boat had an apartment in this area back in the day. His was right on Birdneck Road.

Still no word of fatalities on the ground. Heresay reports of minor injuries.

Sure hope it stays that way.

My cousin and his family live a mile due south of Oceana NAS. They're OK.
Hinrich Schwab
04-06-12, 02:39 PM
Yes, I wonder what went wrong. I immediately thought of this crash just a couple of years back: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_San_Diego_F/A-18_crash

I hope this isn't a bad sign for the state which these older F/A-18s are in. It does, however, sound like a technical problem on the surface of it. At least the pilots are safe.

I saw a pic of the crash site compared to the runway. Whatever happened occurred just after takeoff. I agree that it was a major technical failure, but I won't speculate further. Probably just another freak accident.
Jimbuna
04-06-12, 02:39 PM
UK news is reporting both crew members ejected safely....hope it is the same result for those on the ground.
Hinrich Schwab
04-06-12, 02:42 PM
UK news is reporting both crew members ejected safely....hope it is the same result for those on the ground.

Yeah. The crew bailed successfully. I haven't heard any reports of any major casualties, just severe collateral damage to an apartment complex.
Jimbuna
04-06-12, 02:50 PM
Update less than an hour ago:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17640618
Task Force
04-06-12, 03:19 PM
Yea, Noticed this on the local news today.
Oberon
04-06-12, 03:22 PM
Well, the pilot apologised, bless him, I don't think there was much he could do to prevent it anyway.

Damn bad luck, but yes, it does raise into question if the F-18s are being maintained properly... :hmmm:
Platapus
04-06-12, 07:07 PM
Failure to maintain terrain separation, as we used to call it.

Any news on any ground casualties? There was a preliminary report of "mass casualties" and that is never a good thing.
CCIP
04-06-12, 07:58 PM
Failure to maintain terrain separation, as we used to call it.

Any news on any ground casualties? There was a preliminary report of "mass casualties" and that is never a good thing.

So far everywhere I've read said that several people (the largest number I heard is 7) have been lightly injured and are in hospital, including the two pilots. No fatalities reported, but not everyone from the complex is yet accounted for. Considering the damage to the buildings, obviously a little bit worrying, but fingers crossed that everyone got out...