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...
Eyewitness report
http://easylink.playstream.com/katu/040721arlington_crash_breaker.wvx
Breaking News: Planes Collide Over Columbia River
Military says two F-18 fighters went down near Arlington, OR
KVEW News Staff & Associated Press
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 21st, 2004 06:19:59 PM
Two Navy pilots are dead after the F-18 fighter jets they were flying collided today over the Columbia River near Arlington, Oregon, west of Boardman. Deputy Chris Fitzsimmons of the Gilliam County Sheriff's Office says a third crew member survived the accident and was taken to Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles. Fitzsimmons said one of the persons involved was found dead on the Oregon side of the river, while the other was on the Washington side. Debris from the collision dropped down on Arlington, which is along Interstate 84.
Sources with the Oregon National Guard report these planes are from Southern California. Stay with KVEW-ABC for continuing coverage throughout the evening.
http://www.kvewtv.com/index.php?section_id=501&xstate=view_story&story_id=178445
Any Washington FReeper in the Klickitat/Benton County area?
I misunderstood your post. I thought he (your husband) was currently flying out of San Diego. I am glad he is safe. Prayers for his friends too.
Another eyewitness talking on the live feed... can anyone report what he's saying?
And a big thank you and extra prayers for you too!
Large explosion, two parachute three aircraft possibly involved.(I can't tell if it is two or three.)
What would make a Prowler blow up?
Praying....
WOW! Thats pretty close to where I live. About 40 to 50 miles across the Columbia River.
Looks it is back to two F-18s.
USMC has both single seat and dual seat F/A-18s. One squadron out of Miramar has both; VMFA-134 has 12 single seat A's and one two seat F/A-18B.
There is a Navy "bombing range" out in the God-forsaken scrub desert west of Boardman, and southeast of Arlington. In the early '70s, we would regularly hear sonic booms in Stanfield, which is about 20 miles east of Boardman, and 15 miles east (downwind) of the Umatilla Army Depot, one of the homes of the Army's chemical weapons stockpile.
I know it's fairly common knowledge, but I sure wish people would quit pointing out Umatilla on public forums like this.
I think it's empty now, anyway, or soon will be.
I interpreted #25 as saying there was only one kind of one plane, rather than 2 F-18s. But you're right... the story's changed, moot point.
Thanks... I guess I wasn't clear.
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