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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two crew members successfully ejected from a Navy E/A-18G Growler before the aircraft crashed into the ocean off the San Diego coast on Wednesday. They were promptly rescued by nearby sportfishing enthusiasts, according to official reports.
The individuals, who were the sole occupants of the Growler, were initially retrieved by the Premier Sportfishing vessel. They were later transferred to a Customs and Border Protection boat for further assistance, as stated by Coast Guard spokesperson Petty Officer Christopher Sappey.
The incident took place during a “go-around maneuver,” a phase of flight where an aircraft lands but then takes off again. Navy spokesperson Cmdr. Beth Teach confirmed that the investigation into the crash’s cause is currently underway.
Footage from a live webcam tracking San Diego harbor traffic revealed communications from the Premier boat, noting that the crew members ejected immediately after takeoff.
At around 10:14 a.m., an individual on the sportfishing boat reported, “We’re on our way to help assist. They’re in the water.” Shortly thereafter, another crew member confirmed, “We have both pilots on board and safe.”
Captain Brandon Viets of the Premier shared that he was out fishing with a dozen passengers near Point Loma when he noticed a Navy jet that “seemed a little louder than normal.” When he looked up, he saw two parachutes descending and immediately steered the boat towards them. He reported that the jet remained airborne for a few moments before plunging into the sea.
“All I could see was a plume of water and mud and muck that was 70 to 80 feet tall,” Viets recalled.
Frank Ursitti, the general manager of H&M Landing, the boat’s owner, praised the quick actions of Captain Viets and his crew, noting their professionalism helped ensure the pilots’ safety.
The two downed pilots were transported to a local hospital where they were reported to be in stable condition.
In the aftermath, the Coast Guard deployed two vessels to secure the wreckage of the Growler in San Diego Harbor, as confirmed by Petty Officer Sappey.
Specializing in electronic warfare, the Growler is a two-seater jet. This incident follows the tragic crash of a similar Navy aircraft that took place last October during a routine training exercise in Washington, where both crew members lost their lives and the wreckage was later found in a remote area.
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This article has been updated to rectify the name of the boat from Premiere to Premier.
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Copp reported from Washington, D.C.
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