A U.S. Navy aircraft is in the water off the coast of Virginia after a pilot ejected during a routine training flight this morning.
According to the Naval Air Forces Atlantic commander, the pilot was rescued and transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. The condition of the pilot, who has not been named, is unknown.
The pilot ejected at 9:53 a.m. from a F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft. The pilot was assigned to the Strike Fighter squadron (VFA) 83 which is located onboard Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. The base has approximately 10,500 active Navy personnel.
According to its website, the F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter aircraft is designed for traditional air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, forward air control, air defense suppression and precision strike. The cost of the Boeing aircraft is approximately $73 million.
Multiple search and rescue units were deployed after the crash. The pilot was rescued at approximately 11:21 a.m.
The F/A-18E aircraft remains in the water where it crashed.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. It is unknown if Hurricane Erin could have played a role in the crash. Wind gusts are currently 20 miles per hour. The Virginia Beach area is under a Tropical Storm warning.
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Crystal Graham
