Two crew members of a U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler ejected from their aircraft shortly after takeoff and were rescued by a sportfishing boat off the San Diego coast on Wednesday, according to authorities.
The pilots were initially picked up by the Premier Sportfishing vessel and were subsequently transferred to a nearby Customs and Border Protection boat, as stated by a spokesperson for the Coast Guard. Eyewitnesses on a live feed showing San Diego harbor traffic reported that the crew ejected right after the plane took off.
At around 10:14 a.m., a voice from the Premier Sportfishing vessel informed the Coast Guard about the situation in the water, stating, “We’re on our way to help assist.” Shortly after this communication, the crew confirmed, “We have both pilots on board and safe.”
Photographs shared by the fishing company reveal images of two individuals parachuting down into the water. Frank Ursitti, the general manager of H&M Landing, the company that owns the sportfishing vessel, expressed gratitude in a statement, acknowledging the crew’s prompt action. He praised Captain Brandon Viets and the Premier crew for their swift response and professionalism that contributed to the pilots’ safe rescue.
Following their rescue, the two pilots were taken to a hospital in the area and were reported to be in stable condition. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard has deployed two vessels to protect the wreckage of the Growler in San Diego Harbor. Further details regarding the cause of the crash have not yet been released.
The Growler is a specialized two-seat jet primarily designed for electronic warfare operations. This incident follows a similar event in October of the previous year, when another Navy jet crashed during a routine training exercise in Washington state, leading to the tragic death of both crew members involved. The wreckage from that aircraft was discovered in a remote mountainous region.
Overall, this situation has highlighted the importance of rapid response and the readiness of those at sea to assist in emergencies.
