ATC Suggested NAS Coronado As Alternate Landing Site

Recordings of radio exchanges reveal that the pilot of a military jet that crashed onto a San Diego home December 8, resulting in four deaths on the ground, passed up at least two chances to land at a facility with an approach over open water.

The transcripts were released by the government Tuesday. The Associated Press reports the pilot, after reporting the failure of one of the fighter's two engines, was directed to Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, which sits on the tip of a peninsula.

At that time, the pilot still had the plane under control, and operating on one engine. The recordings show the pilot responded to controllers, "I'm actually going to try to take it to Miramar if possible." He also requested that emergency responders be ready.

The base at Miramar is 10 miles farther north. It appears controllers tried to keep the pilot's options open, by giving him headings that would allow landing at either base in case of further difficulties. The recordings also indicate the pilot had problems in following the headings assigned by ATC due to the plane's mechanical problems.

"I'm trying, sir, but single engine," the pilot said.

As ANN reported, the F/A-18 crashed into a residential neighborhood two miles from Miramar, killing four people on the ground. The pilot was able to eject from the fighter moments before impact, after the plane lost power to its second engine.

Marine Corps officials have defended the decision, although they've declined to discuss particular questions, saying that would compromise the investigation.

The AP reports 13 Marine Corps personnel have been disciplined for errors involved in the crash, including the removal from duty of four officers. Officials say the pilot should have been told to fly over San Diego Bay and land at Coronado.

The base at Miramar dates to World War I, and has seen encroachment by residential development in the decades since.

FMI: www.miramar.usmc.mil/home.htm