Posted on 07/21/2004 3:29:01 PM PDT by johnfrink
Two F-18 military jets collided in midair above the Columbia River in the Arlington area, scattering debris and causing a fiery explosion, according to witnesses and the Gilliam Co. Sheriff's Office.
Witnesses said the military jets that collided looked like this Navy F-18 Hornet.
Authorities said at least two people have been recovered at the scene and parachutes were also spotted, indicating that some crew members may have ejected.
Witnesses said it appeared that at least one person was killed in the crash.
Oregon State Police, detectives with the Gilliam Co. Sheriff’s Office and a rescue boat are on the scene.. More to come...
Oh Man,Prayers....
Heads up in Oregon!
Keep us posted.
Thoughts and prayers
Where 'bouts is Arlington?
2 Fighter Jets Collide Over Northern Oregon
July 21, 2004
By KOMO Staff & News Services
PORTLAND - Two Navy F-18 fighter jets collided over the Columbia River in northeastern Oregon on Wednesday, a Federal Aviation Administration official said.
FAA spokeswoman Nancy Corey said two parachutes were seen, but it wasn't clear whether the pilots had ejected safely.
They crashed around 2:30 p.m. scattering debris on the river near Boardman, Corey said.
Rescue personnel were en route to the crash, she said.
"We're not sure what kind of planes they are," said Deputy Sarah Baker, with the Gilliam County Sheriff's Office. "We're trying to get people out there to help and we're assessing the situation."
http://www.komotv.com/stories/32287.htm
Update:
"“There is debris in the Columbia river from those jets when they collided,” said KGW meteorologist Dave Salesky, who was driving along I-84 when the collision happened. “The air out here is thick with jet fuel over I-84.”"
Sounds bad.
Please Lord.....
What’s the weather like there? Its clear here (in Seattle).
About 136 miles east of Portland, right on the Columbia River (which is what separates Oregon from Washington). Very sparsely populated out in that area, fortunately.
Clear and warm. Supposed to be in the mid-90s for the rest of the week. I'd assume these are Oregon Air National Guard based out of Portland, but who knows. Usually see all those planes lined up whenever I fly into PDX.
Opps. Missed the line about them being Navy planes.
whoa....
Eastern Oregon, at the other end of I-84, near Pendleton.
Near the chemical weapons depot, just south of Hanford Nuclear Site.
My Dad is in Grants Pass. It's on the local news now.
Clear as a bell.
It would be about 50 minutes or an hour's drive west from the Umatilla Army Depot.
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