A Note to Our Readers

Dear Readers,
We make a special effort here to record the facts as we receive them. At times, there may be error but we do try to use our best judgement at the time of posting, and will be glad to amend any details which are proved incorrect. Furthermore, even though we do not here discuss the human cost, we realize that losing anyone in an air accident is insurmountable tragedy to individuals, families and communities. We do extend our heartfelt sympathy to those whose loss we record here. "...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for..." us all.
Meditation XVII - (with apologies to) John Donne


2009/02/27

No incident in Miramar

What: Navy FA-18 fighter jet doing flight operations
Where: MCAS Miramar
When: Tuesday night 9 p.m
Why: When the jet ran low on fuel, the pilot was directed to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, which meant flying over Allied Gardens. The sight and sound of a jet flying low over the neighborhood brought back a panicked response, a reminder of an identical jet which killed people on the ground a few months ago in University City. Although the jet landed safely, the still-recovering neighborhood was catapulted back into a terror response--although the jet was completely in control the entire time.

Without wanting to sound too harsh, one hopes that San Diego recalls there is a military base and planes will be flying there when need be. There was no actual incident. Should they have ditched the jet in the bay rather than safely fly over? Then someone would have been complaining about the cost of a ditched FA-18. Be happy.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Part of the reason for the low flight and noise is that the pilot mistakenly began an approach to Montgomery Field (MYF) instead of Miramar. When the controller told him he was landing at the wrong field, he accelerated and flew low over heavily populated areas to Miramar.

The longest runway at MYF is 4,577 feet long with a 1,176 foot displaced threshold. He probably would have run out of runway if he had completed the landing there.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/28/1m28plane00333-navy-jet-wrong-approach-startles-ne/?zIndex=59987