Navy jet crashes adjacent to Highway 198

An FA-18 Hornet coming in for a landing.
An FA-18 Hornet coming in for a landing.

Local firefighters, Navy officials as well as California Highway Patrol were on the scene shortly after an NAS Lemoore FA-18 fighter jet aircraft crashed west of Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The crash, which occurred Monday afternoon approximately 4 p.m. Monday, was north of Highway 198 in a dirt field just east of the Kings/Fresno county line, about two miles west of NASL, according to Adam Barresi, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

Barresi was on the scene as Navy officials and responders quickly arrived on the scene.

The pilot reportedly ejected from the aircraft in mid-air, parachuted to the ground, landed and walked away from the scene, said Barressi who was told the pilot ejected safely. He said as far as he knows there were no fatalities involved.

The pilot's name was not released.

The parachute was reported as being on the ground about 300-400 years west of where the plane was resting on the ground.

There were no reports of fire at the crash site.

Navy and local officials will continue to assess the scene and attempt to determine the cause of the accident.

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