A U.S. fighter jet crashed into the San Diego Bay on Wednesday near the Naval Air Station North Island. The two pilots were rescued by a fishing vessel and hospitalized following the crash.
According to Fox News, the U.S. Navy confirmed that two U.S. service member pilots were rescued on Wednesday following the crash of a Boeing EA-18G Growler. The outlet reported that San Diego Fire Department officials said the crash was reported shortly after 10:16 a.m. local time near Shelter Island.
A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, by Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, shows the EA-18G Growler crashing into the San Diego Bay. Rugg noted that one witness claimed that the crash resulted in an “80 foot plume of water and mud.”
The Coast Guard San Diego Office told Fox News that the pilots involved in Wednesday’s crash were rescued by a fishing ship and transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Air and Marine Operations.
In a post on Facebook, H&M Landing, the fishing company that rescued the pilots, said the EA-18G Growler suffered a “mechanical failure” on Wednesday.
“The two pilots ejected from their aircraft after experiencing a mechanical failure. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into the bay,” H&M Landing stated. “The Premier, which was in the immediate vicinity, swiftly responded to the emergency. Upon observing the pilots eject, the crew of the Premier quickly navigated toward the pilots before they even hit the water.”
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H&M Landing explained that the pilots were recovered “within minutes,” were provided with “immediate assistance,” and were transported to shore. After arriving at the shore, the pilots were treated by emergency medical professionals and were confirmed to be in stable condition, according to the fishing company.
“We are relieved and grateful to have had one of our vessels in the right place at the right time,” H&M General Manager Frank Ursitti said. “Captain Brandon Viets and the crew of the Premier acted swiftly, and thanks to their professionalism, were able to bring these pilots to safety.”
A Navy official told Fox News that it was not immediately clear whether the EA-18G Growler sent out a distress signal prior to Wednesday’s crash in the San Diego Bay. The outlet also reported that the pilots who were hospitalized in cash have not yet been identified.
H&M Landing noted that Wednesday’s incident is currently under investigation both by the U.S. Navy and local officials.