A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed into the water while approaching USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) aircraft carrier for landing, at approxim...
The fighter assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Valencia was operating off the coast of southern California.
The pilot sustained the crash with a successful ejection, and was recovered safely by Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15.
The Super Hornet has not been recovered and remains in the water.
Following the mishap, all flight operations ceased temporarily aboard Carl Vinson and all remaining airborne aircraft were safely diverted to NAS North Island.
Flight operations resumed at 12 p.m. PDT on June 5 and all diverted aircraft returned to Carl Vinson.
This is the second crash of F-18 in 2014, after a fatal crash of U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet fighter assigned to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center in March, during a training flight.
The Boeing F-18 is the mainstay of U.S. Strike forces, with over 2000 fighters operated by US Air Force, Marine Corps and US Navy.
Carl Vinson and embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 are currently underway conducting Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).
JTFEX is designed to test a strike group's ability to operate in hostile and complex environments with other U.S. and coalition forces. The integrated exercise combines specific warfare areas with the purpose of making preparations for the strike group's upcoming deployment.
