Three killed as US fighter jet smashes into homes

A US fighter jet returning to a Marine base made famous by the film Top Gun crashed in flames, killing three people on the ground, leaving one missing and destroying two homes.

The pilot of the F-18 Hornet ejected safely just before the crash yesterday at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. Explosions rocked the middle-class University City neighbourhood of San Diego, sending flames and plumes of smoke skyward.