UPDATE:
The two-person crew of an EA-18G Growler is in stable condition after their aircraft crashed during an attempted landing at Naval Air Station North Island, Navy officials told USNI News.
“At approximately 10:15 PDT, a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 crashed while landing,” read a statement from Naval Air Forces.
“Two aircrew ejected into San Diego Bay and were quickly recovered before being transported to a local hospital for medical assessment. Both personnel are in stable condition. Naval Base Coronado has stood up an Emergency Operations Center in response to the mishap, and assessment of the crash site is ongoing.”
The aircraft had traveled from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and was in San Diego for an exercise. The Growler was not assigned to the air wing that is currently training with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.
According to radio traffic at the time of the crash, the two-seat electronic attack aircraft was approaching NAS North Island. Shortly after leaving the runway, the crew of the aircraft ejected, and the plane crashed into the water. The two aviators were initially picked up by a sport fishing charter before they were transferred to a Customs and Border patrol vessel, according to radio traffic. According to ABC 10, the aviators were taken to UC San Diego Health.
Following the recovery of the crew, emergency crews were responding to the debris and fuel from the crash, according to radio traffic.
The following is the complete statement from Naval Air Forces.
NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, San Diego – At approximately 10:15 PDT, a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 crashed while landing.
Two aircrew ejected into San Diego Bay and were quickly recovered before being transported to a local hospital for medical assessment. Both personnel are in stable condition.
Naval Base Coronado has stood up an Emergency Operations Center in response to the mishap, and assessment of the crash site is ongoing.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
The EA-18G Growler is a variant in the F/A-18 family of aircraft that combines the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. VAQ-135 is based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington.
Two pilots were rescued after a military plane crashed into San Diego Bay near Shelter Island, authorities said.
The crash was reported shortly after 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at 1561 Shelter Island Drive, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
The military confirmed that only two pilots were aboard the plane, the department said. Both pilots were taken to UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest. Their conditions have not been released.
The aircraft was an F/A-18 Hornet, according to reports. Naval Air Station North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay.
(KGTV) — Two pilots were rescued after a fighter jet crashed into the San Diego Bay in the area of 1401 Shelter Island Drive Wednesday morning, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
A U.S. Navy spokesperson confirmed to ABC 10News that the aircraft was an E/A-18 G Growler. The spokesperson said the aircrew ejected, and the U.S. Coast Guard recovered them.
An ABC 10News crew was at the scene reporting on another story when they saw the immediate aftermath of the crash a little before 10:30 a.m.
Naval Air Station North Island sits directly east of where our reporting team was at the time of the crash.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department initially responded to the scene, but they were called off as federal emergency responders pulled the pilots out of the water. That included the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Harbor PD.
Both pilots were taken to UC San Diego Health. An ABC 10News reporter saw the pilots as they were taken into the hospital.
The extent of the pilots’ injuries is unclear at this point; however, they were in stable condition.
I was in my front yard when I heard the plane, which was very loud! I thought it could be a rocket. Then it went silent. My neighbor’s landscaper and I were wondering what had happened. Thanks, UNSI News and OB Rag, for putting this news piece up. I am glad the pilots were okay.
Elon and his “DOGE” buddies better get on this right away. Sounds like a DEI issue to me!
Word!
Another $67 million down the drain not to mention the taxpayer-funded clean-up & remediation costs.
In a subsequent statement, the Navy said the aviators were in good condition.
As of late Wednesday, “the aircraft remains submerged, and response teams are actively assessing the scene,” reads a statement from the Navy. “Harbor Security boats are on site securing the area, and a containment boom was placed around the crash site to minimize the spread of fuel and debris. Environmental and safety teams are working to mitigate any potential impacts. There are no reports of civilian injuries or damage at this time.”
According to radio traffic at the time of the crash, the two-seat electronic attack aircraft was approaching NAS North Island. After flying over the runway, the crew of the aircraft ejected, and the plane crashed into the water. The two aviators were initially picked up by a sport fishing charter before they were transferred to a Customs and Border patrol vessel, according to radio traffic. According to ABC 10, the aviators were taken to UC San Diego Health.
Following the recovery of the crew, emergency crews responded to the debris and fuel from the crash, according to radio traffic.
The aircraft had traveled from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and was in San Diego for an exercise. The Growler was not assigned to the air wing that is currently training with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. https://news.usni.org/2025/02/12/breaking-navy-growler-crashes-off-coast-of-san-diego-crew-ejects-and-recovered
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/absurd-crash-military-experts-shocked-by-ea-18g/
“According to reports, the Growler may have been participating in Exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1, a multinational training drill designed to increase interoperability among allied air forces. The exercise, led by the US Air Force Warfare Center, includes participation from the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and, for the first time, the Royal Canadian Air Force.”
https://www.388fw.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4062281/388th-fighter-wing-participates-in-bamboo-eagle-25-1/