Navy pilot still missing after two F/A-18s crash in Pacific

By

Jeff Schogol

140912-N-TP834-186 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 12, 2014) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Red Lions of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15 lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during search and rescue operations for the pilot of one of two F/A-18 Hornets which crashed earlier in the day while operating from the ship. The other pilot was located and returned to Carl Vinson for medical care. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr./Released)

The Navy is searching for the pilot of one of two F/A-18C Hornets from the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson that crashed in the Western Pacific Ocean on Friday, according to a Navy news release.

The planes from Carrier Air Wing 17 went down at 5:40 a.m. local time on Friday, the news release says. Initial reports indicate that the fighters are assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 and Strike Fighter Squadron 113.

One of the pilots was quickly recovered and is now getting medical attention. Neither of the planes has been recovered. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Search efforts for the missing pilot are being conducted by the cruiser Bunker Hill, the destroyer Gridley and helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73.

Neither of the planes has been recovered.

About 

Jeff Schogol