WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Two F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing 17 embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) crashed at 5:40 p.m. local time, today, while operating at sea in the western Pacific Ocean. The initial report is that the two aircraft are assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 (VFA-94) and Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113).
One pilot was rapidly located and returned to Carl Vinson, and is currently receiving medical attention. Search efforts continue for the second pilot.
The search for the second pilot includes guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) and helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 (HSC 15) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM 73).
The two F/A-18C Hornets have not been recovered.
All remaining airborne aircraft were safely recovered onboard.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
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.
It's a dangerous business Pt. 2
Re: It's a dangerous business Pt. 2
WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- After an extensive search, the Navy has ended search and rescue efforts at 5:15 a.m. (+11L) Sept. 14 for the pilot of one of the F/A-18C Hornet aircraft that crashed Sept. 12 approximately 250 nautical miles off the coast of Wake Island.
The pilot assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94 has been presumed deceased.
"This is an exceptionally difficult time for the friends and family of the missing pilot and the Navy community," said Rear Adm. Christopher Grady, Commander, Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. "We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy."
The identity of the pilot will not be released until the family notification process is complete.
Navy units involved in the search and rescue efforts included USS Carl Vinson, USS Bunker Hill, USS Gridley, USS Sterett, and USS Dewey, along with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 and P-8s from Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 5 in Guam.
The two F/A-18C aircraft, one assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94 and the other assigned to VFA 113, had launched from the flight deck and were in the process of proceeding to their initial stations when they apparently collided approximately seven miles from the ship.
One pilot was recovered by helicopter shortly after the crash and transported to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) for medical care. The rescued pilot has since been released from medical facilities aboard the ship.
VFA 94 and VFA 113, both based at NAS Lemoore, Calif., are part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, assigned to the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The pilot assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94 has been presumed deceased.
"This is an exceptionally difficult time for the friends and family of the missing pilot and the Navy community," said Rear Adm. Christopher Grady, Commander, Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. "We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy."
The identity of the pilot will not be released until the family notification process is complete.
Navy units involved in the search and rescue efforts included USS Carl Vinson, USS Bunker Hill, USS Gridley, USS Sterett, and USS Dewey, along with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 and P-8s from Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 5 in Guam.
The two F/A-18C aircraft, one assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94 and the other assigned to VFA 113, had launched from the flight deck and were in the process of proceeding to their initial stations when they apparently collided approximately seven miles from the ship.
One pilot was recovered by helicopter shortly after the crash and transported to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) for medical care. The rescued pilot has since been released from medical facilities aboard the ship.
VFA 94 and VFA 113, both based at NAS Lemoore, Calif., are part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, assigned to the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Re: It's a dangerous business Pt. 2
I'm assuming that there will be an inquiry into the cause of the accident.
How vigorous is the investigation into the cause of the mid-air incident? And is the dead pilot always at fault?
How vigorous is the investigation into the cause of the mid-air incident? And is the dead pilot always at fault?
Re: It's a dangerous business Pt. 2
Who knows what the investigation will find. My guess is that there was a mechanical failure in one of the aircraft. But both planes are at the bottom of the ocean.
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