Sunday, February 22, 2015

Accident occurred February 22, 2015 near Statenville, Echols County, Georgia

Two members of Beaufort-based Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 were treated for minor injuries after ejecting from a fighter jet that crashed Sunday in Georgia, according to a news release from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

An investigation is underway into what caused the F/A-18 Hornet to crash during low-altitude tactics training.

The pilot, Maj. Roy Nicka, and the weapons systems officer, 1st. Lt. Robert Reynolds, ejected and parachuted to the ground. They were treated for minor injuries at the South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta.

The plane flew out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and crashed near Statenville, Ga., in the Moody MOA, a military operations area, which is air space designated for military flight operations, according to the release.

The aircraft went down in wooded, swampy terrain about 30 miles east of Valdosta.

Requests for information from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on Sunday night and Monday were not responded to.

The crash site has been cordoned off by military officials. Personnel from Moody Air Force Base's 23rd Wing are providing site security, while members of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing are assembled for recovery operations, according to the release.

Efforts are underway to recover as much of the plane as possible, and the investigation into the cause may take several months.

"Information will be gathered from many sources, including all sources known to have any link to the mishap flight, in effort to determine the cause of the mishap and to help our aviators avoid similar mishaps in the future," according to the release.

Any witnesses are asked to contact the 2nd MAW public affairs office at 252-466-4241 or chpt.jpao.omb@usmc.mil to provide information.



STATENVILLE, Ga. – A military plane flying from a South Carolina base has crashed near this Echols County town.

The McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A-18D Hornet crashed at 2:53 p.m. Sunday; it was flying from Beauford Marine Corps Station, Beauford, S.C., according to military authorities at the scene.

The plane crashed about 4.5 miles east of Statenville near Ga. 94.

Two pilots parachuted from the plane; both were taken to South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, said 2nd Lt. Brianca Williams from Moody Air Force Base. There were no fatalities connected with the crash

Moody responded as the nearest military base; the downed plane was not from Moody AFB as initially reported by civilian authorities.

Responders at the scene included the Echols County Sheriff's Office, EMTs from South Georgia Medical Center, the Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Echols County Volunteer Fire Department, Moody AFB Fire Services and security personnel from Moody.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Story, photos and video:   http://www.valdostadailytimes.com










  WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

STATENVILLE, GA (WALB) -

Two pilots have been injured after their plane crashed east of Statenville off Highway 94 in a wooded area Echols County.

Both pilots ejected from the plane. They had minor injuries and were taken to the South Georgia Medical Center for treatment.

It happened around 3 p.m. The plane is a McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A-18D Hornet.

The Echols County Sheriff's Office has confirmed the crash.

Personnel from the 23rd Wing also responded to the scene, according to a release from Moody Air Force Base.

The aircraft took off from Beaufort Marine Corp. Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Story and video:  http://www.walb.com

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