A fishing boat on the scene of a Navy fighter jet crash within the San Diego Harbor picked up the 2 ejected pilots simply moments after they landed within the waterway.
The aircraft, recognized by a Navy official as an EA-18G Growler, a variant of the F/A-18F Tremendous Hornet, was flying in low visibility situations when it went down round 10:17 a.m. close to Naval Air Station North Island, residence to Naval Base Coronado. The 2 pilots have been the one crew members aboard.
The reason for the crash — which was captured on video — is underneath investigation.
“Luckily we were there to spin the boat around, and thanks to my crew and everyone else we were able to swing by and pick them up and safely get them out of the water,” stated Brandon Viets, the ship’s captain. The Related Press reported that Viets had 12 passengers on the ship on a fishing journey.
The Premier’s fast arrival meant the pilots solely spent a few minute in 50-degree water, officers stated.
This picture supplied by Premier Sportsfishing reveals two pilots being rescued after their E/A-18G Growler crashed off the San Diego coast Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Brandon Viets / AP
The fishing boat was met by a small U.S. Customs and Border Safety Air and Marine Operations boat that had been on the scene when the incident occurred. The rescued pilots have been evaluated and transported to an space hospital. Each are in steady situation, officers stated. They’re underneath a 24-hour medical commentary out of an abundance of warning, a Navy spokesperson stated.
As of Thursday morning, the plane remained submerged within the harbor, with response groups actively assessing the scene, a Navy spokesperson stated. The wreckage brought on a “large debris field,” police stated. Crews shortly arrange containment strains within the bay to attempt to filter out particles, together with gasoline and oil, that will have leaked from the downed airplane.
The general public has been requested to not strategy, contact or gather any particles that will wash ashore. Suspected particles must be reported to authorities.
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