Super Hornet crash

On 20 October 2020, the United States Navy lost a Super Hornet after it crashed near the junction of Highway 178 and Highway 14, in California's east Kern County (west of Ridgecrest, near Robbers Roost rock formation), which is near China Lake Test Base.

incl. update 21octIt was not immediately clear whether the F/A-18E was carrying live ammunition, but the pilot ejected safely.

After the fighter crashed it sparked a small grass fire.

At this moment it is not clear what the BuNo or unit of the aircraft was,

Update 21 October 2020

NAWS China Lake is nearby the crash loacation and that base is housing Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9 Vampires ('XE-xxx') and VX-31 Dust Devils ('DD-xxx').  The US Navy releaved that the Super Hornet that has crashed was operating out of NAS Lemoore (CA). Check our extensive US Navy Air Order of battle to learn what type which squadron flies, and where it is located.

Photo (just illustrative for the type): F/A-18E 166789/AC-211 Coert van Breda