TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. --The Marine Corps says one of its fighter jets has crashed in the California desert, killing the pilot.

A statement says the F/A-18C went down around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. CBS affiliate KFMB reports that the plane went down during a training mission in the vicinity of Twentynine Palms, about 140 miles east of Los Angeles.

#BREAKING: #USMC pilot killed in F/A-18C Hornet crash during training near Twenty Nine Palms. pic.twitter.com/wLs8hAYus9 — CBS News 8 (@CBS8) July 29, 2016

The sprawling Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center is located at Twentynine Palms.

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The pilot has not been identified. He was from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.