2 pilots in 'good condition' after military plane crash near San Diego: See crash footage
The two pilots involved in the crash ejected themselves into San Diego Bay before being quickly recovered by a fishing boat crew.
The two pilots who were aboard a military aircraft when it crashed near Shelter Island in San Diego are in "good condition" and under 24-hour medical observation, U.S. Navy officials said.
The Navy said in a statement emailed to Paste BN that a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 crashed while landing around 10:15 a.m. The pilots ejected into San Diego Bay and were immediately recovered before being taken to a local hospital for medical assessment, according to Navy officials.
The EA-18G Growler was identified in San Diego Bay, where it remained submerged as of Wednesday evening, the Navy's statement reads. Response teams are actively assessing the scene of the crash, according to military officials.
"Harbor Security boats are on site securing the area, and a containment boom was placed around the crash site to minimize the spread of fuel and debris," the statement reads. "Environmental and safety teams are working to mitigate any potential impacts. There are no reports of civilian injuries or damage at this time."
Watch the moment a military plane crashed into San Diego Bay
Navy advising people not to 'approach, touch or collect any debris'
The Navy is also reminding the public to "not approach, touch or collect any debris that may wash ashore." Anyone who observes suspected aircraft debris should report the wreckage to local authorities or call Naval Base Coronado, according to the statement.
Naval Base Coronado’s Emergency Operations Center is still active, and the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, the statement reads.
The Navy's EA-18G Growler has a "sophisticated electronic warfare suite," and this type of aircraft is based at the Naval Air Station in Whidbey Island, Washington, according to the military official's statement.
'All of our crews are trained in lifesaving efforts'
A charter fishing boat for H&M Landing, a West Coast sportfishing company, pulled the pilots out of the water after they ejected from the plane before it crashed, NBC News reported. Frank Ursitti, company general manager, told the outlet that the captain of the fishing boat saw the incident and turned the vessel around to go help the pilots.
“As all of our crews are trained in lifesaving efforts, immediately came about, turned around picked up both pilots that were in the water,” Ursitti said, per NBC News. “And as they were boarding the pilots on the water, (the captain) observed the plane actually ditch into San Diego Bay.”
After being helped out of the water by the fishing crew, the pilots were picked up by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection vessel, according to the Coast Guard, the outlet reported.
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.