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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Navy paying those affected by crash

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A slew of residents who lost their homes after a Navy jet crashed into their apartment complex began picking up government checks on Monday to help them with living expenses.

Dozens of apartment units were destroyed or evacuated Friday when the F/A-18D Hornet careened into the Mayfair Mews apartment complex shortly after taking off from nearby Naval Air Station Oceana. Several people were injured, but nobody died when the plane slammed into the apartment complex’s empty courtyard.

The Navy said the crash was caused by a catastrophic mechanical malfunction. Initial payments started at $2,300 for individual residents, with more going to those with families.