Marine Corps pilot is found dead after F18 fighter plane crashed outside Miramar air base in San Diego

A US Marine Corps pilot has died after the F/A-18 Hornet he was flying crashed outside Miramar airbase near San Diego.

A spokesman for the base said a search and rescue operation had been launched when the plane crashed just before midnight on Thursday.

Heavy fog covered the search area east of the base near Interstate 15 this morning, and at 11 a.m. (PST), a spokesman for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed that the pilot’s body had been found.

“Search and rescue efforts have recovered the US Marine Corps pilot, who has been confirmed to have died at the location,” he added.

The pilot was the only person on board the plane.

“It is with a heavy heart that our condolences go out to the Marine’s family at this time.”

The pilot was flying from the Marines’ Miramar Air Base, near San Diego

The Mach 2 aircraft introduced in 1983 is described as a US Navy “workforce” but will be phased out by 2030

The Mach 2 aircraft was part of the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron and is described by the Navy as the “workhorse of Marine Corps tactical aviation.”

It is flown by Marine Corps Reserve squadrons, the Navy’s Blue Angels aerobatic display team, along with other fleet support roles.

It was introduced in 1983 and is expected to be phased out in 2030 and replaced by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Officials are not expected to release the pilot’s identity until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.

A spokesman for the airbase said: ‘This aircraft is not part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, but was operating out of MCAS Miramar.

“The crash site is on government property east of the air station and there is no evidence of damage to property on the ground.”

“An investigation has begun.”