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thedrifter
03-05-09, 06:33 AM
Marines Say 'Sorry'

By R. STICKNEY

Updated 1:44 PM PST, Wed, Mar 4, 2009

The U.S. Marine Corps sent a letter of condolences to the residents of University City Wednesday, pegging the cause of the December crash that killed four people to mechanical problems "compounded by human error."

New images added include the pilot moments after the crash of an F/A-18 in University City.

In recordings released Tuesday, San Diegans got to hear what was said between Lt. Dan Neubauer, the jet's pilot, and ground control as the jet approached Marine Corps Air Station Miramar December 8. Read article

Lt. Neubauer pilot was given two chances to land at Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado. Instead, the Federal Aviation Administration tapes disclose the pilot decided to fly the jet, which had lost one engine and was having signs of trouble with the second engine, to MCAS Miramar, which is about 10 miles north of Coronado.

"The pilot pulled up his fuel-tank display in the cockpit, realized something wasn't right but did not correctly analyze the situation," said Col. John Rupp, the operations officer for the 3rd Marine Air Wing. "If the pilot had elected to land at North Island, this mishap would've been prevented."

Two homes were destroyed and three others damaged in the crash. Four members of a Korean family were killed in their home -- Young Mi Yoon, 36; her daughters Grace, 15 months, and Rachel, 2 months; and her mother, Suk Im Kim, 60. Kim was visiting from South Korea to help her daughter move across town and adjust to the arrival of her second child. Read article

Neubauer ejected safely.

In the letter to residents, Major General Michael Lehnert writes, "The Marine Corps regrets this sad and unfortunate accident." The letter mentions the military is working with the County Department of Environmental Health on testing the accident site for hydrocarbon levels to get them into the normal range. Read entire letter

As for providing financial help to those families who lost loved ones or their homes, MajGen Lehnert wrote "We remain committed to serving the needs of the community during this difficult period by providing immediate financial assistance to those families in greatest need; arranging counseling to those needing assistance; and helping families submit their claims to the U.S. Government."

Ellie

thedrifter
03-05-09, 07:08 AM
MILITARY: Marine Corps issues apology in letter to University City

By MARK WALKER - Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY CITY ---- The Marine Corps' top brass on Wednesday apologized to residents of the San Diego community where one of its fighter jets crashed, killing four members of a Korean immigrant family.

"The Marine Corps regrets this sad and unfortunate accident," Maj. Gen. Michael Lehnert wrote in a one-page letter that was hand-delivered by troops to 300 homes Wednesday morning.


Download the letter


Hear the audio transmission

"I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the University City community and especially to those families who lost loved ones and who have suffered greatly as a result of the tragic F/A-18 crash that occurred on December 8."

The man whose family was killed in the crash, Dong Yun Yoon, could not be reached for comment. His pastor at the Korean Methodist Church said Yoon remains in mourning and has no plans to speak to the media.

Killed in the crash were Yoon's wife, Youngmi Lee, 36, and her daughters Grace, 15 months old, and Rachel, 2 months old. Lee's mother, Seokim Kim, 60, also died.

The Corps disclosed Tuesday that the crash was caused by a combination of mechanical problems and human error, and said it could have been avoided.

Neighborhood residents had differing reactions to the letter. One said its delivery was too impersonal. Another said the Marine Corps should stop flying over residential areas.

Lehnert, who oversees Marine Corps bases in the region, had his apology delivered a day after service officials said pilot Lt. Dan Neubauer's decision to bypass Coronado's North Island Naval Air Station ---- and avoid flying over homes ---- led to the deaths.

The pilot's decision that day was endorsed by the commander of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 at Miramar Marine Corps Station, resulting in his removal from his post. Three squadron unit commanders also lost their jobs, and nine other troops associated with the incident received lesser punishment. The Marine Corps will not identify the commanders who were relieved.

Lehnert wrote that the crash was "the result of mechanical problems stemming from an engine oil leak and a fuel transfer malfunction that were compounded by human error."

On Tuesday, Marine Corps officials disclosed the pilot was asked three times if he wanted to land his jet at North Island after losing one engine shortly after taking off from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

Neubauer spurned those offers, saying he wanted to "try and take it to Miramar if possible."

But on the final approach to Miramar, a mechanical problem the Marine Corps had been aware of for months caused the second engine to fail and the plane plummeted to the ground, striking the pavement on Cather Avenue, careening into a home and killing the family.

The letter meant little to Alain Blanc, whose balcony overlooks the crash site.

"It's a very poor way to communicate ---- to just throw a letter like this in the mailbox when it could have been handled on a more personal note," Blanc said.

The letter says that excavation of the crash site continues to eliminate hydrocarbon residue from spilled jet fuel.

"A week ago, they said all the test results on the air and ground was perfect," Blanc said. "Today, they say they are continuing to test and have contaminants. Were they lying then or lying now?"

Blanc said he worries about a lingering throat soreness caused by what he inhaled the day of the crash.

He also said the Marine Corps' disclosure Tuesday that the jet that crashed had flown 146 times after the fuel transfer problem was known showed a deliberate disregard for safety.

Louis Rodolico said the Marine Corps should stop conducting flight operations over populated areas.

"I am not screaming to shut Miramar down, but there should be no more flights over residential areas," he said. "I think the Marine Corps should say all future flight operations will take place out over the sea."

Neubauer's flight status remains uncertain. He has been grounded since the crash and his future as a Marine pilot will be decided by a board of officers in concert with other service officials.

Eleven claims associated with the crash have been filed.

Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/03/04/military/z89e363bd6e89a30b8825756f007043ba.prt

Ellie