A U.S. Navy pilot was safely rescued Wednesday after ejecting from an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia during a routine training flight. The incident, which resulted in the loss of a valuable aircraft estimated at $67 million, is currently under investigation.
Pilot Ejects Safely, Taken for Medical Evaluation
The pilot, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 83 (VFA-83), based out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, ejected from the F/A-18E Super Hornet just before 10 a.m. ET. Search and rescue teams were deployed promptly, locating and rescuing the pilot approximately an hour and 20 minutes later, around 11:21 a.m. ET.
Following the rescue, the pilot was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. While the pilot’s condition was not immediately disclosed, authorities confirmed their safe recovery. The downed fighter jet, a critical asset with a production cost of about $67 million, according to the Navy, remains in the water.
Investigation Underway for Crash Cause
Naval Air Force Atlantic stated that the cause of the aviation mishap and the pilot’s ejection is under investigation. Military officials have not yet provided details on what led to the crash during the routine training flight. The Navy typically conducts thorough investigations into such incidents to determine contributing factors and prevent future occurrences.
String of Recent F/A-18 Incidents Raises Concerns
This crash marks the sixth F-18 incident for the Navy within the last ten months, highlighting a concerning trend for the fleet. The recent mishaps involving the F/A-18 Super Hornet and its variant, the EA-18G Growler, include:
- October 2024: Two pilots were killed when an EA-18G Growler crashed near Washington state’s Mount Rainier during a routine training flight.
- December 2024: A Super Hornet assigned to the USS Harry S. Truman was accidentally shot down by friendly fire in the Red Sea. Both pilots ejected safely.
- February 2025: A Growler crashed in San Diego Bay in Southern California. Both pilots ejected and were rescued.
- April 2025: A Super Hornet fell overboard off the USS Harry S. Truman into the Red Sea during a towing operation, with no serious injuries reported.
- Early May 2025: Another Super Hornet went overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman while attempting to land, reportedly due to a failed arrestment mechanism. Both pilots safely ejected.
The increasing frequency of these incidents has drawn attention, with one former senior defense official quoted by Fox News Digital stating that these mishaps “deserve to be examined.” The Navy will determine whether to order a safety stand-down for the F/A-18 fleet once the investigation into the latest crash is complete.
