A US military F-18 fighter jet has crashed into a residential area of San Diego, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said.
A US military F-18 fighter jet has crashed into a residential area of San Diego, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said.
The San Diego Fire Department described the scene of the crash as "a heavily populated area" near Interstate 805.
The San Diego Fire Department described the scene of the crash as "a heavily populated area" near Interstate 805.
TV footage showed plumes of white smoke rising from several houses. It is not clear if there are any casualties.
TV footage showed plumes of white smoke rising from several houses. It is not clear if there are any casualties.
The jet crashed as it prepared to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the pilot had ejected, the FAA said.
The jet crashed as it prepared to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the pilot had ejected, the FAA said.
The crash occurred two miles (3.2km) from the base, it added.
The crash occurred two miles (3.2km) from the base, it added.
Donny James, who was visiting his mother in the area, said the supersonic fighter had been flying at very low altitude.
Air Station Miramar, famous for its role in the movie Top Gun, is home to some 10,000 marines. It said the jet was on a training mission.
'Out of control'
FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the supersonic fighter had gone down in the University City area of San Diego at about 1200 (2000 GMT).
Both houses were totally engulfed in flames... I saw one pilots walking around and he was dazed Donny James, witness
Both houses were totally engulfed in flames... I saw one pilots walking around and he was dazed Donny James, witness
"It spiralled out of control, just like out of Top Gun, and then it came down," he told CNN.
Kurt Miller, who lives a few blocks from the crash site, told the BBC that he had seen the jet coming in and thought its "seemed a little low".
Mr James said he was unable to get closer to the scene because two houses were on fire.
"I did not notice billowing black smoke from the engines or anything, however there were some noticeable fumes, which I originally just thought was exhaust," he said.
"Both houses were totally engulfed in flames. I saw a pilot walking around and he was dazed. The police were telling everyone to get out of the way," he added.
"I did not realise until about 40 minutes later, on my way back to work, that they jet had actually crashed... barely missing the local high school."
A spokesman for the San Diego police department, Monica Munoz, said it appeared so far that the only person injured was the pilot.
Donny James, who was visiting the area, said the jet had "spiralled out of control, just like out of Top Gun" before coming down.
He said he was unable to get closer to the scene because two houses were on fire. One was destroyed and another was badly damaged, he added.
The pilot ejected before the crash and there was no ordnance on board
"Both houses were totally engulfed in flames. I saw a pilot walking around and he was dazed. The police were telling everyone to get out of the way," Mr James told CNN.
Debris from the aircraft, including one of its engines, is strewn around the neighbourhood, reports say. Officials have urged anybody who finds any parts to leave them and report them to authorities.
A spokesman for the San Diego police department said that so far the only person confirmed to have been injured was the pilot.
Witnesses later said the pilot had landed in a tree close to the crash site. He was later taken to Balboa Naval Hospital, officials said.
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