'Hey, buddy, I just crashed': Footage shows pilot walking away from fighter jet crash
Summary
A U.S. Marine pilot safely ejected and walked away after an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed into a mountainside in Washington state during routine training in June 2026. The pilot had minor injuries, and the cause of the crash is still being investigated.Key Facts
- The crash happened on June 13, 2026, near Rimrock Lake in Washington, about 55 miles southeast of Seattle.
- The aircraft involved was an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- The pilot ejected before the crash and was found by local authorities wearing a bloodied face but only minor cuts.
- The pilot was conducting low-level training and lost control, hitting a tree before the crash.
- The pilot contacted emergency services immediately, saying, "Hey, buddy, I just crashed."
- The crash caused a plume of black smoke and started a wildfire in the area.
- Officials continue to investigate the exact cause of the crash.
- The incident footage was released by the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office in August 2026.
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