Fighter-jet pilots rescued following crash into San Diego Bay

Naval Air Station North Island / Photo from Wikipedia (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel M. Young)

SAN DIEGO – Two military pilots were rescued from the waters of San Diego Bay Wednesday after the fighter jet they were flying crashed into the harbor during an aborted landing approach to Naval Air Station North Island.

The crew members aboard the NAS Whidbey Island-based EA-18G Growler ejected from the aircraft before it went down near Shelter Island at about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, according to Navy public affairs.

Emergency crews quickly pulled the pilots from the bay and took them to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest for evaluations, authorities said. The fliers were said to have stable vital signs.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, Navy officials reported.

The EA-18G is a variant in the F/A-18 family of aircraft combining the Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite, according to Commander Naval Air Forces public affairs.

Leaking jet fuel from the aircraft necessitated the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality to issue a water contact closure for Lawrence Street in Point Loma, the Kellogg Beach Shoreline.

“Beach goers are advised that the ocean water may contain chemicals and may cause illness,” a department-issued statement said.

“Ocean waters will remain closed until sampling and field observations confirm these areas are safe for water contact.” (CNS)