Marine Pilot’s Calm Response Following F-18 Crash in Washington

Newly released body camera footage shows a Marine F-18 pilot, Maj. Jackson Simon, who sustained facial injuries after a crash in Washington state back in June. This incident occurred on June 13, 2026, when he admitted to a sheriff’s deputy on camera that he was “a little tired,” yet seemed remarkably composed given the circumstances.

The video captures the aftermath of Simon ejecting from the F-18 Hornet as it plummeted into a mountainside near Rimrock Lake, igniting flames and generating thick black smoke that rose above the trees. Despite smeared blood on his face, Simon approached the deputy calmly, phone in hand, entirely unshaken by the ordeal.

Upon inquiry about the aircraft, Simon initially identified it as “an F-18” but then hesitated, saying, “Well, it’s—” before confirming it again when prompted. He explained to the police that he had been conducting low-altitude training over the lake when something went awry. “We were doing some laps on the lake,” he noted, “I tuck in, but I don’t know exactly. I’m a little tired, to be honest.”

Interestingly, the footage also shows Simon casually making a call, reporting to his superiors that he had ejected and was safe. His tone, when speaking to the other person, was rather matter-of-fact; he casually told them, “Hey buddy, Major Simon, I just crashed.” It was a stark contrast to what one might expect after such a harrowing experience.

A bystander remarked on the incident, noting, “That’s too bad you hit a tree, bud,” to which Simon replied, “I went through a tree.” Some witnesses mentioned he appeared to be shaking, admitting that he was “on adrenaline.” It’s quite fascinating how, even during chaos, the pilot remained somewhat nonchalant.

The footage later reveals Simon’s parachute tangled in the trees, with police assisting him in retrieving his gear. Officers documented that he was found standing on a hillside with his flight harness off, surrounded by equipment, when he made his way down to meet the deputy for an injury check.

Witness reports indicate that shortly before the crash, the military jet had been circling around Rimrock Lake. Multiple calls to 911 detailed the ejection of the pilot and the subsequent explosion upon crashing into the mountainside, which ignited a fire in the surrounding forest.

The initial call to emergency services came in at 12:18 p.m., marking the start of the response to the “jet plane crash” and “pilot parachuted.” A distraught witness was heard crying about having seen the crash.

The F-18 was part of the 11th Marine Aviation Group, 3rd Marine Wing, and was on a standard training exercise approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle when this “non-fatal air accident” occurred around noon Pacific time. Simon ejected successfully and was later recovered by local law enforcement.

A military spokesperson placed the value of the lost aircraft at about $67 million, and the crash’s exact cause remains under investigation. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based in San Diego, California, has stated that further information will be withheld until the investigation concludes, which could take several months.