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.
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.
Personnel from Air Station Miramar, famous for its role in the movie Top Gun, have been dispatched to the crash site to investigate.
The Marine Corps said the jet, a two-seater F/A-18, had been on a training mission with only one pilot on board.
'Out of control'
'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).
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 pilot walking around and he was dazed Donny James, witness
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".
Kurt Miller, who lives a few blocks from the crash site, told the BBC he had seen the jet coming in and thought its "seemed a little low".
"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.
"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.
"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."
"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."
Donny James, who was visiting the area, said the jet had "spiralled out of control, just like out of Top Gun" before coming down.
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.
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.
"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.
The pilot ejected before the crash and there was no ordnance on board
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.
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.
The San Diego Fire Department said no injuries had so far been reported by people who were on the ground at the time of the crash, although it added that firefighters were still searching for victims. The pilot is confirmed to have been hurt.
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.
Witnesses said the pilot had landed in a tree close to the crash site. He was later taken to Balboa Naval Hospital, officials said.
The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Los Angeles says there have been concerns voiced by local people in the past about the frequency of flights by military aircraft over residential areas in California.
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