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Four Marines Sacked After Deadly Jet Crash in San Diego
The San Diego military jet crash that killed four family members back in December was "clearly avoidable," Marine Corps Major Gen. Randolf Alles said today, citing delayed maintenance and faulty decisions by controllers and the pilot. The Corps announced that they have disciplined 13 people including four--the commander of the fighter squadron involved in the crash, its top maintenance officer and two others--of their duty.
FAA audio tapes show that as one engine was out with signs of trouble with the second one, the pilot was offered twice to land at a naval station before the crash. If he chose that route, he would have had to fly over open water. Instead, the pilot decided to land at the inland Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. En route to there, his plane failed and crashed into the home. The pilot, who is grounded and probably won't fly anymore, ejected safely.
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