San Diego (Agencies): A US military aircraft crashed into the San Diego Bay near Shelter Island on Wednesday morning, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The aircraft involved was an E/A-18 G Growler, confirmed by a US Navy spokesperson.
Both pilots on board the aircraft safely ejected before the crash and were rescued by good Samaritans in a fishing boat within minutes. The pilots were then transferred to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat on the scene and later taken to Hillcrest Medical Center at UC San Diego Health for treatment.
Fire officials responded with 60 personnel, including two fire trucks, a foam truck, five engines, a helicopter, two boats, and a lifeguard river team. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and it is unclear whether a distress signal was sent out prior to the incident.
The E/A-18 G Growler is a specialized version of the two-seat Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. It provides tactical jamming and electronic protection to U.S. military forces and allies around the world. The aircraft is equipped with advanced electronic warfare capabilities, including the AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system and the AN/ALQ-218 detection pods.
The Navy has established an emergency operations center and is working to remove debris from the water and contain any potential fuel spills. The pilots are currently in stable condition but are being monitored for any further injuries.
The names of the pilots have not yet been released, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash.