A US Marine Corps fighter pilot sustained minor injuries after his jet crashed into a mountain in Washington state on Saturday, triggering a wildfire, authorities said.
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According to the Yakima County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred near Rimrock Lake at around 12:15 pm local time.
“We received multiple calls informing us that a military plane crashed into a mountain in our county and that the pilot had ejected from the aircraft. Our mountain pass deputy made contact with the pilot, who sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital. As a result of the crash, a fire started in the area,” the Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
It further stated that the military had been notified and would be deploying personnel and resources to the crash site.
The aircraft involved was an F/A-18 Hornet based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego, California, CBS News reported citing the United States Marine Corps.
The fighter jet was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 under the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and was involved in a "non-fatal mishap" during a routine training exercise, a Marine Corps statement read.
The crash occurred approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle.
The cause of the incident is under investigation and could take several months to determine.
