YAKIMA COUNTY, Washington, — June 14, 2026 : A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet fighter aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in Washington state's Cascade Mountains on June 13, with the pilot safely ejecting before impact. The crash triggered a small wildfire in the forested area near Rimrock Lake, prompting a coordinated response from local and federal emergency agencies.
According to military and local authorities, the aircraft went down at approximately 12:00 p.m. PDT near Rimrock Lake in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, about 55 miles southeast of Seattle. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the two-seat aircraft during the mission, successfully ejected and was later located by deputies from the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said the pilot sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. Authorities reported that the pilot was able to move toward rescuers after landing. Video footage circulating online showed the ejection and the subsequent impact of the aircraft.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and military authorities have indicated that aviation mishap investigations can take several months to complete.
Aircraft Assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11
The aircraft involved was identified as an F/A-18D Hornet, Bureau Number 165412 and tail code WS-415. The jet was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.
Although the Marine Corps has not officially identified the squadron, aviation observers and flight-tracking data indicated the aircraft belonged to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) “Death Rattlers.” The aircraft was reportedly operating under the callsign SNAKE 21 at the time of the accident.
The aircraft had recently deployed with three other Hornets to King County International Airport (Boeing Field) in Seattle. Aviation enthusiasts monitoring the deployment noted that only three of the four aircraft returned to the airfield following the training sortie.
The F/A-18D is a two-seat variant of the legacy Hornet family, which includes the A, B, C, and D models. Depending on configuration, modernization upgrades, and production year, these aircraft are generally valued between $29 million and $57 million.
Wildfire Ignited Following Impact
The crash and resulting explosion ignited vegetation in the mountainous terrain surrounding Rimrock Lake. The fire was later designated the Pine Tree Fire by the National Interagency Fire Center.
Emergency crews from multiple agencies, including the Naches Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service, and firefighting teams from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, responded to contain the blaze. Helicopters and ground firefighting units were deployed to the scene as part of an aggressive suppression effort.
Authorities said the fire expanded to approximately two acres before crews gained control. As a precaution, officials temporarily closed the 1200 Road system south of Rimrock Lake and ordered evacuations for nearby campers and recreational visitors. No injuries on the ground were reported, and the fire was largely contained by the evening.
Aircraft Was Flying Along VR-1355 Training Route
At the time of the accident, the Hornet was operating along Visual Route 1355 (VR-1355), a military low-level training corridor that passes through the Cascade Mountains.
Known among military aviators as the “million-dollar ride,” the route is widely used by regional aviation units because of its challenging terrain, narrow valleys, and opportunities for low-altitude navigation training. The corridor is frequently utilized by Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force aircraft conducting tactical flight exercises.
Similar Accident Occurred in Region in 2024
The latest crash occurred in a region that has previously experienced military aviation accidents. On October 15, 2024, a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130) “Zappers” crashed near Mount Rainier while flying a similar training route through mountainous terrain.
Following an extensive search operation, the wreckage was located the next day, and the Navy later confirmed the deaths of both crew members, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans and Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman.
Investigation Underway
Military investigators, working alongside local law enforcement and federal land management agencies, have secured the crash site near Rimrock Lake. Recovery operations and examination of the wreckage are expected to continue as investigators seek to determine the circumstances that led to the loss of the aircraft.
The Marine Corps has not released additional information regarding the aircraft's configuration, mission objectives, or potential contributing factors while the official aviation mishap investigation remains ongoing.
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