Jet crash highlights risks of living near military bases

SAN DIEGO - The military jet crash in a Virginia Beach Friday brought back images of the same type of aircraft that crashed into a San Diego home around three years ago.

Aviation safety experts say this tragedy is proof living away from a military base doesn't guarantee you're out of harms way.

"Any emergency is going to have several phases, depending on the altitude [a pilot] is at, the airplane can wind up almost any place." pilot Mike Doerr said. "If you're up at 10,000 feet, a plane could easily end up 10 miles [away] in any direction from that ejection point."

Doerr logged more than 1000 hours in a FA-18 fighter jet during his 20-year-long military career.

He said the military goes to great lengths to avoid flying over residential areas especially during training exercises, but that gets harder with more urban development.

"Bases for the most part were originally situated away from any residential areas,” Doerr said. “Miramar may not seem like it’s out in the middle of nowhere now, but when it was originally built 50-60 years ago it was."

Don Yoon is still morning the loss of his wife, daughters and mother in law after an FA-18 jet crashed into his University City home in December 2008.

It took Don Yoon more than three years to reach a $17.8 million settlement with the government.

Federal attorneys ultimately determined the crash was caused by military negligence.

Under California law, every homeowner has to receive a full report on the potential hazards near their home before they buy like a fault line or a military base.

The law only requires disclosure of military and airport air traffic if a property is within two miles of the site.

"All that's required is the seller and the buyer acknowledge receipt of the report. There are several homes that are near airports or military bases, and you wouldn`t really think otherwise," Real estate agent Christopher Rodriguez said. "There are several homes that are near airports or military bases, and you wouldn`t really think otherwise. It`s the last thing on a buyer and sellers mind."