A dramatic video has surfaced showing the crash of a US military fighter jet into San Diego Harbor on Wednesday. The two-seat EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jet crashed into the water at 10:17 a.m. Both Navy pilots ejected safely before the impact.
The video, shared by CBS 8 San Diego, captures the jet descending rapidly and slamming into the harbor near Shelter Island. A large plume of smoke and water erupted upon impact before the jet sank beneath the surface. Shelter Island is located across the bay from Naval Air Station North Island, a key military installation.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying scene.
“The plane hit the water, and there was an explosion. A lot of black plumes, and then it just like got sucked into the water,” one witness told the media. “Within 15 seconds, there was nothing.”
The two Navy pilots, who ejected moments before the crash, were rescued by a fishing boat in the harbor. Local emergency services quickly arrived at the scene. Fortunately, no injuries on the ground were reported.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The US Navy confirmed that the jet was on a routine training mission before the accident. Safety protocols were followed, which allowed the pilots to eject in time.
This incident raises concerns about the safety of military flights over populated and coastal areas. The FAA and Navy are coordinating efforts to recover debris and assess any environmental impact from the crash.
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