Full Breakdown
Marine Pilot’s Ejection After F-18 Crash Near Rimrock Lake
8/26/2026, 1:42:31 AM
Incident Overview
On June 13, 2026, Marine Corps Major Jackson Simon ejected from his F-18 Hornet after the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a forest near Rimrock Lake, Washington. The pilot emerged with a bloodied face, appeared “remarkably composed” on a sheriff’s body-camera video, and later told investigators he was “a little frazzled.” The crash ignited a small wildfire and prompted an ongoing Marine Corps investigation; officials have not confirmed whether the jet hit power lines before impact.
Expert Analysis
Former TOPGUN pilot Matthew “Whiz” Buckley explained that Simon’s calm likely resulted from a combination of shock, an adrenaline “let-down,” and training that teaches aviators to compartmentalize under pressure. Buckley emphasized that high-speed ejections leave little time for a controlled exit, increasing the forces on the body. He warned that improper body positioning—such as an extended arm or legs not flush with the seat—can cause severe injuries, including “seat slap” that may break legs. Buckley noted that the Hornet was performing low-altitude maneuvers when it clipped power lines, a scenario that offers minimal margin for a safe ejection.
Investigation and Potential Outcomes
The Marine Corps has said the cause of the mishap remains under investigation and has not publicly confirmed the power-line contact. Simon is expected to appear before a review board that will assess his actions and determine whether he retains his flight status, could lose his “wings,” or be placed on “double secret probation.” Buckley argued that the public deserves a clear explanation given the aircraft’s $60-$65 million cost.
Data & Statistics
Buckley cited a meta-analysis of 1,710 military aircrew ejections (studies published 1971-2019) that found a pooled mortality rate of 10.5 % and major injuries in 29.8 % of cases. He described the average ejection seat delivering 10-20 G’s of force, a level he called “incredibly violent.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “If anything's going wrong, we focus on the task. Everything else goes away,” — Rimrock Lake. Buckley
- “Some folks don't go back to flying status. I mean, you can lose a couple inches in height. Your spine compresses. Some people get shorter,” — Rimrock Lake. Buckley
- “When you pull that handle, you have two choices: die or maybe live. And I said 'maybe live' because it's incredibly violent. I think the average ejection seat is like 10 to 20 G's of force,” — Rimrock Lake. Buckley
