According to US media reports, a pilot was killed when an American F-18 fighter crashed near Miramar Marine Corps Air Base in San Diego.

ABC News and Fox News said it was not yet clear what caused the FA-18 crash.

Fox News said the plane was not part of the 3rd Marine Corps Aircraft Wing, but was operating from Marine Corps Air Force Base Miramar.

For its part, the "CBS news" network reported that the pilot was found after an hours-long search by US Coast Guard crews and the San Diego Fire Rescue Department, and confirmed that he was the only pilot on board.

The military base said in a press statement on "Facebook" that the accident occurred before midnight local time, noting that the crash site is located within government property, and no property was damaged./ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency