Navy Says ‘Human Error’ in Jet that Flew Pilot-less Over Point Loma and Crashed into Bay

By Alex Cheney / CBS8 / February 27, 2026

A Navy investigation has determined that human error caused an E/A-18G Growler military jet to crash into San Diego Bay during a training exercise on Feb. 12, 2025, according to information the Navy shared with reporters today. The two crew members safely ejected from the aircraft and sustained only minor injuries.

The investigation revealed that unfamiliar software triggered warnings during aerial refueling, complicating the crew’s approach to Naval Air Station North Island. Pilots contended with a wet runway and a tailwind while attempting to land, employing an aero brake in an effort to slow the aircraft. However, investigators determined the measures proved insufficient.

Gregory Feith, a former senior investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said naval air traffic control should have directed the pilots to use a different runway. “In aviation we try to never land with a tailwind,” said Gregory Feith.

The tailwind accelerated the aircraft, making a safe landing considerably more difficult. The aero brake failed to adequately reduce speed for landing conditions, according to the investigation.

The E/A-18G Growler aircraft carried an approximate value of $109 million. After the pilots successfully ejected, the aircraft climbed to approximately 8,000 feet before nosing over and crashing into San Diego Bay near Shelter Island. The Navy recovered approximately 85 percent of the aircraft, including significant debris.

Feith emphasized that pilots must employ different braking techniques when landing on wet runways. “That decreases braking efficiency you use a different braking technique in the aircraft just like in your car on a wet surface rather than a dry surface and it increases the landing roll out length,” said Feith.

Weather conditions compounded the landing challenge. “That apparently was insufficient based on landing with a tailwind on a wet runway and they couldn’t get the aircraft slowed down sufficiently to stay on the paved surface and made the determination to eject,” said Feith.

A civilian fishing vessel recovered the aircrew from the water and transported them to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

Feith characterized the incident as instructive for other naval pilots. “Was it bad decision making? Was it decision making off of bad information? Those are the critical aspects those are the lessons learned that get passed on to other flight crews from this unfortunate event,” said Feith.