Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet crashes off Key West; 2 crew members killed

NORFOLK, Va. — A Navy fighter jet based in Virginia crashed off the coast of Key West, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon. Both crew members were killed.

Cmdr. David Hecht, spokesman for Naval Air Force Atlantic, said the pilot and weapons system officer ejected from the F/A-18F Super Hornet. 

Rescuers recovered them. Medics took them by ambulance to Lower Keys Medical Center, and both were pronounced dead.

The jet, which was being used for a training flight, went down around 4:30 p.m. about a mile from Naval Air Station Key West. Hecht said the F/A-18F was on final approach to land when it crashed.

The identities of both crew members are being withheld until 24-hours after the next-of-kin have been notified.

 The cause of the crash is also under investigation.

The Super Hornet was assigned to VFA-213 at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va. The Super Hornet is a twin-engine fighter jet that is larger than the single-seat F/A-18 Hornet.