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Navy Fighter Jet Crash in San Diego Harbor
A fishing boat was pivotal in the rescue of two pilots who ejected from a Navy fighter jet that crashed into San Diego Harbor. The incident occurred shortly after 10:17 a.m., when the EA-18G Growler, a variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, went down under low visibility conditions near Naval Air Station North Island, part of Naval Base Coronado.
The circumstances surrounding the crash are currently under investigation, though it was captured on video. Fortunately, both pilots successfully ejected and landed in the water, where they were quickly retrieved by the crew of the Premier, a nearby fishing charter boat.
U.S. Navy officials confirmed that the two pilots were the sole occupants of the aircraft. Following the crash, Navy boats immediately commenced a search of the area. Remarkably, the crew of the Premier spotted the pilots’ parachutes before they even reached the water’s surface. Captain Brandon Viets, who was leading the fishing trip with 12 passengers on board, recounted the moment they located the downed pilots.
“Luckily we were there to spin the boat around, and thanks to my crew and everyone else we were able to swing by and pick them up and safely get them out of the water,” he stated.
The quick response of the Premier crew ensured the pilots only spent about a minute in the chilly 50-degree waters. Following their rescue, both pilots were taken to a local hospital where they were evaluated; they are reported to be in stable condition. As a precaution, they are under 24-hour medical observation.
As of Thursday morning, the downed aircraft was still submerged in the harbor. Response teams are on-site, assessing the situation and managing a large debris field created by the wreckage. Crews have established containment lines in an effort to minimize environmental impact by filtering out potential debris, including oil and fuel, from the aircraft.
Lt. Daniel Moen of the San Diego Harbor Police Department expressed concerns about the environmental implications of such incidents. “Anytime there’s an aircraft accident like this, there is a little bit of concern about the maritime environmental impact,” he noted.
The public has been advised to avoid any debris that may wash ashore and to report any findings to the authorities to ensure safety and proper handling of the situation.
Frank Ursitti, general manager of H&M Landing, lauded the swift action of Captain Viets and his crew, stating, “We are relieved and grateful to have had one of our vessels in the right place at the right time.”
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