U.S. Navy jet crashes in Virginia; 2 pilots believed to have ejected

[WoodysGirl]

Several media reports say that a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet jet has crashed in Virginia, with the two pilots believed to have ejected before impact.

There are currently no reports of injuries on the ground. Several photos from the crash are popping up on social media sites, showing the plane wreckage and black smoke rising from nearby buildings.

The Virginian-Pilot newspaper quotes a spokesman for Naval Air Force Atlantic who says the F/A-18 Hornet crashed Friday.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/u-navy-jet-crashes-virginia-2-pilots-believed-174703258.html

 

[Faerluna]

http://wtvr.com/2012/04/06/pilot-lands-on-mans-back-porch-apologizes-for-jet-crash-blaze/

 

[WoodysGirl]

Update with the status for the 2nd pilot

UPDATE: [11:13AM]

David Schleck of the Virginia Pilot tells MSNBC that several witnesses saw both parachutes descending in the air, with both parachutes being caught in buildings above ground. One of the pilots was reportedly still attached to his parachute, which was entangled with the burning apartment building. Schleck says a local neighborhood child was able to obtain a knife that was reportedly used to free the Navy pilot.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/u-navy-jet-crashes-virginia-2-pilots-believed-174703258.html

 

[03EBZ06]

Glad to read that the pilots are alright.

I remember when I was with a squadron, VFA-125 in NAS Lemoore, CA. I was a swing shift supervisor for the Ordnance shop, we were having a heavy flight ops until late evening. Just got done launching eighth event of the day and about 3 mins after the launches, I heard this loud sound, sounded like a heavy impact, I knew there was an aircraft mishap.

Found out that the pilot ejected and F/A18C (one seater) crashed (in unpopulated area). Later, I found out that there was a fire warning on left engine but for some reason the pilot pushed right engine fire extinguisher, which effectively killed the right engine with left engine on fire, so basically he didn't have much of propulsion. The pilot lost his wings for his costly error and became a legal officer.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Glad to read that the pilots are alright.

I remember when I was with a squadron, VFA-125 in NAS Lemoore, CA. I was a swing shift supervisor for the Ordnance shop, we were having a heavy flight ops until late evening. Just got done launching eighth event of the day and about 3 mins after the launches, I heard this loud sound, sounded like a heavy impact, I knew there was an aircraft mishap.

Found out that the pilot ejected and F/A18C (one seater) crashed (in unpopulated area). Later, I found out that there was a fire warning on left engine but for some reason the pilot pushed right engine fire extinguisher, which effectively killed the right engine with left engine on fire, so basically he didn't have much of propulsion. The pilot lost his wings for his costly error and became a legal officer.

Wow.. Interesting story.

So legal officer.. what does that mean? Like JAG or something?

 

[casmith07]

Wow.. Interesting story.

So legal officer.. what does that mean? Like JAG or something?

No...likely just a clerk. Paper pusher.

 

[WoodysGirl]

No...likely just a clerk. Paper pusher.

Wow, that's a big come down for a pilot.

 

[03EBZ06]

Wow.. Interesting story.

So legal officer.. what does that mean? Like JAG or something?

Not a JAG, just a squadron Legal Officer, every command has a legal officer. JAG has it's own command, which is made of full of military lawyer and admins

 

[Yeagermeister]

We have an apartment community in that area but judging by the pictures it wasn't our community. Hopefully all of the people are ok.