Caution light rerouted Marine in jet crash

[unhappycamper]

Caution light rerouted Marine in jet crash
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jan 1, 2009 11:15:30 EST

HAVELOCK, N.C. — A Marine pilot killed in a crash this week began having problems shortly after takeoff, prompting him to try to return to his North Carolina base, the military said Wednesday.

Capt. Alberto N. Bencosme, 27, was piloting the AV-8B Harrier that crashed Monday in an unpopulated area near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Officials said that Bencosme was instructed back to base shortly after takeoff by a cockpit caution light that came on, indicating that aircraft canopy latches may not have been secured.

Bencosme crashed just east of the air station near N.C. Highway 101, about a mile from the runway. No one else was injured.

Bencosme was a member of Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, based at Cherry Point.

Bencosme enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 1997 and was commissioned as an officer in November 2004. He was promoted to captain on Dec. 1. While in the service, he was awarded two Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_marinejetcrash_123108/%2e