7 Tourists Injured After F-18 Crashes in Death Valley National Park

A single seater Navy F-18 Super Hornet reportedly crashed in Death Valley National Park at 10 a.m yesterday morning. Military flights are currently banned in nearly all national parks, but after an exception was made for certain parts of Death Valley, the canyons of park became the training grounds for pilots practicing low-altitude maneuvers. In the western reaches of the park, Star Wars Canyon has become one of the most popular spots for aviation enthusiasts to watch the high speed jets racing through the canyons.

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The F-18 was apparently carrying out maneuvers in the Star Wars Canyon area when it crashed just below a popular overlook of the valley known as Father Crowley Overlook, which has since been closed. The park reported that seven tourists suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash, but there have been no updates on the condition of the pilot.