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Pilot Safely Ejects From Military Jet Prior To Crash

Authorities say the pilot of a plane that crashed near a Central California military base ejected in midair and safely parachuted to the ground.

Kings County Fire Chief Bill Lynch tells The Sentinel newspaper in Hanford that the pilot walked to emergency responders after reaching the ground Monday afternoon.

The newspaper reports that the plane was an F-18 fighter jet.

California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Jobinger says it went down in a dirt field about 3 miles from Lemoore Naval Air Station.

Jobinger says a fire from the crash has been extinguished, and no roads have been closed. Source: AP

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Capt. Christopher Stricklin ejects from the USAF Thunderbirds number six aircraft less than a second before it impacted the ground at an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 14. Stricklin, who was not injured, ejected after both guiding the jet away from the crowd of more than 60,000 people and ensuring he couldn't save the aircraft. This was only the second crash since the Air Force began using F-16 Falcons for its demonstration team in 1982. The ACES II ejection seat performed flawlessly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

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