YUMA, AZ (AP) -
Military officials say early findings point to mechanical failure in the crash of a U.S. Marine Corps Harrier attack jet on a training mission in southwestern Arizona.
The AV-8B Harrier went down Wednesday afternoon about 15 miles northwest of the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma near the Arizona-California border.
Base officials say the pilot ejected safely. They say he was taken to the Yuma Regional Medical Center for observation and was later released. His name hasn't been released.
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma officials say the single-seat jet crashed in an unpopulated area, but it was carrying ordnance. They say a cleanup of the crash site was under way Thursday.
The Yuma base is used by Marine aviators around the nation for training and is the world's busiest Marine Corps air station.
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