[pfflier]

The latest report was a West to East approach with a possible engine fire. Impact was about a mile short of the west end of the runways. It looks like the pilot was most likely trying to land with the wind, pretty much an indication of dire circumstances.

[ArmstedFragg]

He lost an engine on takeoff from the Lincoln, which would have prompted the direct route, then apparently had some kind of major failure on approach. Pilot's at Navy Hospital, but walked away after he got untangled from his chute. Two of the 3 houses were unoccupied, there's a older woman who normally cared for two children who lived in the other one. Still trying to find her... and the (grand) kids.

[ArmstedFragg]

Two confirmed dead on the ground now, two missing.

[Myrddin]

The latest report was a West to East approach with a possible engine fire.

The downwind leg for Miramar is usually south of the field. In the days of Top Gun, the 300 kt inbound would be west bound, north of the runway. A left break out of formation would leave the planes lined up eastbound, south of the runway.

It definitely sounds like an emergency to attempt a landing against the normal operating patterns. Good to hear the pilot survived. The two confirmed dead on the ground is not good news. Living in the flight path is a potential risk.