Two pilots rescue after a military fighter jet crashed into San Diego Bay as dramatic video showed the plane falling at high speed into the water, officials said It was done.
The two on board the US Navy EA-18G Growlers descended near Shelter Island around 10:15am Wednesday, according to the San Diego Fire Department.
Videos shot by eyewitnesses showed the jets appearing to look fast and nosy in the water.
The aircraft was assigned to an Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 based at Nas Whidbey Island in San Diego, Washington.
A San Diego Coast Guard spokesperson said both pilots had safely left before the crash.
The H&M landing charter fishing boats drained pilots, crashed the plane, pulling service members out of the water. Frank Ursitti, the company’s general manager, said the captain of the Premier Boat saw the ordeal and helped the ship.
“All our crew are trained in an effort to save lives, so we came right away and picked up both pilots who were in the water,” Urcitti told NBC San Diego. “And as they were on board the pilot on the water, the (captain) observed that the plane was actually dumped into San Diego Bay.”
From there, they were picked up by a US customs and border guard vessel, according to the Coast Guard.
The pilot was taken to the University of California San Diego Hillcrest Medical Center. The two crew members are in “good condition” and are said to be “from abundant attention” under 24-hour medical observations, the US Navy said in an update Wednesday evening.
According to the Navy, the aircraft’s wreckage was found and placed around the crash department “to minimize the spread of fuel and debris.”
“The aircraft remain submerged and the response team is actively evaluating the scene,” a U.S. Navy spokesperson said. “The Environmental and Safety Teams are working to mitigate the potential impact. At this time, there are no reports of civilian injuries or damage.”
It is not clear what led to the crash and an investigation is underway.
Heather O’Alto and her husband, Brian O’Alto, witnessed a crash from the window in their dining room, and the plane’s engine was extremely loud and rocked the house with a fast descent. It reminded me of it.
“It was horrifying,” she told NBC San Diego. “I could see the underside of the plane. It just looked like it was a straight nose in the water.”
The Navy should warn the public not to touch or collect any debris that land could clean, and if any wreckage is found, it must be reported to local government or naval base Coronado.
The EA-18G Growler has “the most advanced technology in aerial electronic attacks,” and according to the Navy is “the navy’s first line of defense in hostile environments.” It has sensors and weapons that can become “fatal” with systems that counter threats.
