Military Plane Crashes Near Point Mugu

A 45-year old Utah pilot was killed as he was trying to land his aircraft at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Wednesday afternoon.

Charles Rogers was flying his Hawker Hunter when he crashed in an agricultural field on final approach to the runway.

The fiery accident happened just after 5 p.m. in a field between Wood and Hueneme roads. Capt. Mike Lindbery of the Ventura County Fire Department said Rogers did not eject before impact. His body was pulled from the wreckage.

Kimberly Gearhart of NBVC issued a statement saying the aircraft was operated by Airborne Tactical Advantage Co. ATAC flies planes in adversarial roles during training.

An ATAC spokeswoman described Rogers as a seasoned retired military fighter pilot. His family in Utah was notified of his death late Wednesday night.

A similar crash in a farm field happened in May 2012. Pilot Thomas Bennett, 57, died in a Hawker Hunter on his return from a training exercise less than 2 miles from the base.

One year earlier, the engine of an Omega Air Boeing 707 caught fire when the plane skidded off the end of the runway at Point. Mugu.

Back in April of 2002, two Navy crew members were killed when their Phantom 2 crashed in a farm field during the Point Mugu Air show.

The cause of Wednesday’s crash is under investigation.