Two USMC F/A-18s collide mid-air during CAS Exercis

Two USMC F/A-18s collide mid-air during CAS Exercise

By Dario Leone
Mar 5 2019
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The F/A-18s were able to land safely after “experiencing a mid-air incident” over Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

On Feb. 28, 2019 two U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) F/A-18s collided in mid-air over the sprawling Twentynine Palms, California, Marine training base.

The two Hornets involved in the accident are from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW).

They were both able to land safely after “experiencing a mid-air incident” over Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, 1st Lt. Fredrick D. Walker, a spokesman for 3rd MAW, told Marine Corps Times. “No personnel were injured.”

A military safety brief noted that the accident occurred while the aircraft were conducting close-air support (CAS) training. The Corps provided few details of the incident, and the extent of the damage to the two aircraft is unknown.

However the accident was listed as a Class A mishap, which according to the U.S. Navy means that an aircraft is destroyed or sustains $2 million or more in damages.

Noteworthy the recent mid-air collision was reminiscent of the tragic and deadly collision of a KC-130 and F/A-18 off the coast of Japan in early December 2018. Six Marines perished in the crash, leaving only one survivor ― a crew member of the crashed F/A-18.

The mid-air incident over Twentynine Palms, California, is currently under investigation.

Two USMC F/A-18s collide mid-air during CAS Exercise
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.  F/A-18B Hornet VMFAT-101 Sharpshooters, SH215 / 163115 – Medal of Honor. MAG-11, MAW-3, MCAS Miramar, CA – 2014

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Waterstreet

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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