A U.S. Navy pilot assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 83 (VFA-83), known as the “Rampagers,” was safely rescued after ejecting from an F/A-18E Super Hornet during a routine training flight off the coast of Virginia on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:53 a.m. Eastern Time. Search and rescue teams were deployed promptly, and the pilot was recovered around 11:21 a.m. The pilot was then transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
The aircraft remains in the water where it crashed, and the cause of the mishap is under investigation. VFA-83 operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
This incident marks the sixth F/A-18 aircraft lost by the Navy in the past ten months, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding the safety and maintenance of the fleet.()
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The Navy has not disclosed the pilot’s identity or condition, citing privacy concerns.