Navy jet crashes off Virigina Beach; pilot ejects from aircraft
A U.S. Navy pilot was rescued from sea today after the F/A-18E Super Hornet he was flying crashed approximately 45 miles off the Virginia Beach coast, the Navy said in a statement.
Before the crash, the single pilot was able to eject from the aircraft.
He deployed a life raft and was recovered by a
fishing vessel before being taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
by a Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk, according to the statement. He is in critical condition.
The crash occurred at about 2:30 p.m.
The F/A-18E Super Hornet was from Strike Fighter Squadron 143 based at Oceana Naval Air Station, the Navy said. It was conducting routine training at the time of the crash.
Today’s Super Hornet costs approximately $52 million, according to The Boeing Co.
The Navy will investigate the cause of the accident.