A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet crashed near Rimrock Lake in Yakima County, Washington, on 13 June after the pilot ejected safely. The aircraft was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and was flying a routine training mission when it went down near the VR-1355 low-level route.
The impact sparked a wildfire in steep terrain near the eastern Cascades, drawing the Naches Fire Department, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service. Crews moved to protect cabins near Bear Creek, closed the road south of Rimrock Lake and evacuated campers. The pilot was recovered for medical evaluation, while the cause remains under investigation.