The survivors of four family members who were killed when a Marine Corps jet slammed into their home in San Diego were awarded $17.8 million by a judge Wednesday, according to The Los Angeles Times.
In California U.S. Disrict Court Judge Jeffrey Miller granted the award stemming from the Dec. 8, 2008, crash of an F/A-18D Hornet, which hit and demolished the home of the Yoon family, The Times reported. The Marine Corps did admit responsibility for the tragic crash in a residential neighborhood, according to the newspaper.
The judge made his award after hearing three days of testimony from Yoon family members and evidence from government lawyers.
Don Yoon’s wife, mother-in-law and two daughters — ages 15 months and seven weeks — where killed as a result of the plane crash. He was not home at the time of the accident.
The Marines said the accident happened because of mechanical failures and mistakes by the pilot and other military personnel, according to The Times. The military said that the pilot got inaccurate instructions from officers on the ground and opted not to try land at North Island Naval Air Station.
The pilot had been attempting to land at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, which is roughly a dozen miles from North Island, according to The Times. He was doing a training flight from aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln.
The newspaper reported that the pilot ejected and survived. Following a Marine investigation, he was initially grounded but was later returned to flying status. But four officers were relieved of duty, and eight other Marines and a sailor were reprimanded, The Times reported.