Family Relatives Sue for $56M in F-18 Crash

The extended members of four members of a family who were killed in the 2008 crash of an F/A-18 Hornet into their San Diego home are reportedly suing the Marine Corps for $56 million.

Don Yoon lost his 36-year-old wife, Youngmi Lee Yoon; his 15-month-old daughter, Grace; his 2-month-old daughter, Rachel; and his 59-year-old mother-in-law, Seokim Kim Lee, who was visiting from Korea to help her eldest daughter take care of their children.

As noted at the time, the accident represented the worst possible outcome fighter pilots consider when they are forced to eject from their aircraft.

The pilot ejected and told investigators he screamed in horror as he watched the jet plow into the San Diego neighborhood, incinerating two homes.

The government does not dispute that the families are due monetary compensation; the argument is over how much.

Attorney Kevin Boyle told The Associated Press outside the federal courthouse that the Yoon and Lee families turned to the court system after the Justice Department in private negotiations offered “insulting” amounts to compensate for the deaths of two children, their mother and grandmother.