Two crew members safely ejected from a U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler before the aircraft crashed into the ocean off the San Diego coast on Wednesday. They were promptly rescued by a nearby sportfishing vessel, according to authorities.
The incident occurred during a “go-around maneuver,” in which the aircraft had landed and was in the process of taking off again. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, said Navy spokesperson Cmdr. Beth Teach.
Petty Officer Christopher Sappey, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard, stated that the two aviators were initially picked up by the Premier Sportfishing boat before being transferred to a Customs and Border Protection vessel. A live webcam capturing San Diego harbor traffic recorded someone aboard the Premier informing the Coast Guard at 10:14 a.m. that the pilots had ejected just after takeoff.
“We’re on our way to help assist,” a voice from the vessel was heard saying. Moments later, an update confirmed: “We have both pilots on board and safe.”
Brandon Viets, captain of the Premier, was leading a fishing trip near Point Loma with a dozen passengers when he heard an unusually loud jet engine. Turning toward the noise, he saw two parachutes descending. He immediately steered his boat toward them.
Viets noted that after the pilots ejected, the jet remained airborne for several minutes before plunging into the ocean. The impact created a towering spray of water, mud, and debris, estimated to be 70 to 80 feet high.
Frank Ursitti, general manager of H&M Landing, which owns the Premier, praised Viets and his crew for their swift response, crediting their professionalism for the pilots’ safe recovery.
Both aviators were transported to a hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard deployed two vessels to secure the crash site and monitor the wreckage within San Diego Harbor, Sappey added.
The E/A-18G Growler is a two-seat jet designed for electronic warfare operations.
In a similar incident last October, another Navy Growler crashed in Washington state during a routine training flight, resulting in the deaths of both crew members. The wreckage was discovered in remote mountainous terrain.
