Surprising video exhibits the US navy fighter jet that crashed in San Diego Harbor Wednesday smack into the water and explode moments after each pilots ejected to security.
The 2-seat EA-18G Growler electrical jet is seen darting down from the sky and slamming into the chilly harbor water at 10:17 a.m., based on video obtained by CBS 8 San Diego.
Because the jet impacted the floor, a large plume of smoke and water shot into the air earlier than disappearing off the shore close to Shelter Island, a neighborhood situated throughout the bay from Naval Air Station North Island.
“The plane hit the water, and there was an explosion. A lot of black plumes, and then it just like got sucked into the water,” One witness informed the outlet. “Within 15 seconds, there was nothing.”
The 2 Navy pilots have been rescued by a fishing boat within the harbor shortly after they ejected.
The fishing vessel’s captain stated he noticed “two parachutes with two dots underneath” coming down towards the water, and he and his four-man crew instantly jumped into motion to rescue them.
“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,” Captain Brandon Viets informed CBS 8 San Diago.
A photograph exhibits the 2 pilots of their soaked jumpsuits on the fishing boat moments after they have been pulled from the harbor water.
Viets stated each of the pilots have been acutely aware and “coherent” once they have been introduced onboard.
One of many crew members, Colin Casper, informed Fox 5 San Diego that they “seemed a little shaken up,” however they have been extra involved with checking on “each other” after being pulled to security.
Casper recalled seeing the jet flying within the air whereas each pilots have been already on their boat.
“I looked over and saw the jet flying without pilots, without the cockpit on it,” he shared.
Viets shared they picked up the pilots a few quarter mile away from the place the jet crashed.
Each pilots have been taken to UC San Diego Medical Middle in Hillcrest and have been stated to be in steady situation.
The jet was based mostly on the Naval Air Station North Island, a station that makes a speciality of Navy plane.
Harbor officers have cordoned off the waters across the crash website and are attempting to include any oil or gasoline spills. Naval Base Coronado is main the investigation of the crash.
The crash was the newest incident involving the $67 million Growler in current months.
In October, one other Navy EA-18G Growler crashed close to Mt. Rainier in Washington – killing each pilots.
The Navy has flown Growlers, operated by two pilots, for the final 15 years and has deployed them for operations worldwide.
“The EA-18G Growler aircraft we fly represents the most advanced technology in airborne Electronic Attack and stands as the Navy’s first line of defense in hostile environments,” the Navy has stated in regards to the jet.
