Navy F-18 crashes in Virginia Beach

[pappy]

Story available on CNN.

Apartment buildings on fire. No deaths reported as yet.

Quote:(CNN) -- A Navy jet crashed Friday into some apartments near Virginia Beach, Virginia, sending flames and thick black smoke into the air, a military spokesman and a witness said.

At least two people were hurt Friday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The pilot and a person who was on the ground were being treated for injuries, but the nature and extent of those injuries were not immediately clear, the spokeswoman said.

Two apartment buildings were on fire, CNN affiliate WTKR reported, citing witnesses.

<....>

[jaxx]

Some eye witness reports via Andrea Mitchell:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/0...beach?lite

Terrible accident. Hope people are safe.

[canetoad]

But good set of pics here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...lding.html

[SeattleGirl]

(04-06-2012 03:34 PM)canetoad Wrote:  But good set of pics here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...lding.html

Wow!

[pappy]

(04-06-2012 04:33 PM)SeattleGirl Wrote:  

(04-06-2012 03:34 PM)canetoad Wrote:  But good set of pics here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...lding.html

Wow!

I remember that years ago the Cleveland had to buy up property along the landing path of the runways at Hopkins Airport. In the 90's they had to increase that clear zone again when they lengthened the runways.

It doesn't appear to me that there was much, if any, clear zone beyond the end of the runway at this Naval Base. Probably such restrictions do not apply to the military facilities.

[jaxx]

(04-06-2012 03:34 PM)canetoad Wrote:  But good set of pics here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...lding.html

It's a miracle no one was killed. The pics really show the massive amount of damage.

[jaxx]

Navy jet has 'catastrophic mechanical malfunction,' hits apartments in Virginia
From Michael Martinez and Barbara Starr, CNN
April 6, 2012 -- Updated 2351 GMT (0751 HKT)

(CNN) -- A Navy fighter jet experienced a "catastrophic mechanical malfunction" during takeoff Friday over the military community of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and rained a stench of jet fuel shortly before crashing into apartment buildings, according to residents and Navy officials.

The jet carried a student pilot in the front seat and an experienced instructor behind him, and the dumping of jet fuel was "one of the indications that there was a mechanical malfunction," Navy Capt. Mark Weisgerber told reporters.

<..> Witness Amy Miller, a resident who was getting ready to work at a nearby cleaners, told CNN she saw the cockpit ejection and flames under the right wing as the jet descended. The aircraft appeared tilted toward the right as it went down, she said.

<..> Six people are unaccounted for at the crash scene, down from 30, Virginia Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Riley said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/06/us/vir...index.html

Additional info. I hope they find the 6 people safe.