SAN DIEGO: A US Navy EA-18G Growler fighter jet crashed into San Diego Bay near Shelter Island on Wednesday morning. The accident happened around 10:16 a.m., close to the Kona Kai San Diego Resort. A news crew was nearby and saw the aftermath of the crash. It is one of multiple aircraft collisions that have taken place recently in the local area.
Pilots Ejected and Rescued in One Minute
The two pilots on board ejected safely before the jet hit the water. The U.S Navy confirmed that they were quickly pulled from the bay. A fishing boat crew rescued them within a minute and handed them over to a US Customs and Border Protection boat.
A US Coast Guard spokesperson told FOX 5/KUSI, "Both pilots ejected safely and were rescued from the water in just one minute." The US Navy, Coast Guard, and Harbour Police worked together on the rescue operation. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department was initially called but later stood down as the military took control.
Pilots Taken to Hospital - The rescued pilots were taken to UC San Diego Health in Hillcrest for medical checks. While their exact injuries are unclear, officials confirmed they were in stable condition.
Mistaken Identity of the Aircraft - At first, reports said the crashed jet was an F-18. However, the US Navy later confirmedit was an EA-18G Growler, a jet used for electronic warfare.
Naval Air Station North Island, located near the crash site, is a major US military base. It is still unknown if the jet was taking off or landing when the crash happened.
Investigation Underway - The cause of the crash is still unknown. Authorities have not said whether it was due to mechanical failure, pilot error, or another issue. They also haven’t mentioned any environmental damage or harm to nearby buildings.
The reasons of the crash remains under investigation. This accident raises concerns about flight safety, especially in areas with heavy military air traffic. Thankfully, no civilians were hurt, and there was no major damage. The quick response of rescuers helped keep the situation under control.