A Marine pilot was killed when their F/A-18D fighter crashed east of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar late Thursday, the Marines said in a statement.
The pilot, who has not been identified, was assigned to South Carolina-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224. The pilot was the only person onboard, the Marines said.
The jet crashed around 11:54 pm, according to a statement from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Coast Guard and San Diego Fire-Rescue units searched for the pilot overnight and into the morning. The Marines didn't say where or when the pilot was found but San Diego Fire-Rescue crews closed the incident just after 9 a.m. Friday.
The eastern section of Miramar is remote and features few military structures. Most of the base's activities are centered in the area west of Interstate 15 which is where the airfield, barracks and support buildings are located.
In 2008, another F/A-18 crashed into a neighborhood just west of the base killing four people.
In accordance with Marine Corps policy, the name of the pilot won't be released until 24 hours after their next of kin are notified, according to the statement.
An investigation is underway, the Marines said.
