Pilot Missing After Two U.S Navy Fighter Jets Crash in Pacific Ocean

U.S. Navy file photo of an F/A-18C Hornet on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). U.S. Navy Photo

A U.S. Navy pilot is missing and another was injured after two F/A-18 Hornets jets crashed into the Pacific Ocean, the Navy has said.

The aircraft are embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and crashed at 5:40 p.m. local time on Friday in the western Pacific.

The Navy says that one pilot was quickly recovered and is receiving medical treatment aboard the USS Carl Vinson. A search is underway for the second pilot involving the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), and two helicopters, the Navy said.

The two F/A-18C Hornets have not been recovered. The Navy added that all remaining airborne aircraft were safely recovered onboard Carl Vinson.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

A report from NBC News says that the fighter jets are believed to have collided with each other.

Carl Vinson and embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 are currently underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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