Navy F/A-18 Hornets Crash in Pacific Ocean

[5.56NATO]

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.
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=83231


Wonder what is going on here, accident or act of war?

[imanaknut]

I have a close friend who flies F-18s assigned to VFA-113 and am going crazy trying to find out who was involved in the accidents.

As of now it appears to be an unfortunate training incident, but what actually happened has yet to be released.

My prayers go out to those involve, their families and friends. These are the very people who keep us safe, pray for them all.

[l921428x]

prayers sent, I never did hear of what happened, to the pilot, a couple weeks a go. think he was driving an f-15.

[Richard Simmons]

Hoping the outcome is positive for all.

[Partisan1983]

I still get something in my eye when watching Top Gun.

I hope and pray everything turns out for the good....

[Silentkilla01]

Prayers sent. Hope everyone involved is ok.

[imanaknut]

Just got an update from the navy, the recovered pilot was with 113, so even if it was my family friend, he is ok.

Still my prayers go out that somehow they find the pilot from 94 still alive.

[1 Patriot-of-many]

I'm guessing they hit each other.

[imanaknut]

Now that my electricity is back on (10 hour outages suck!) I can state that many people on the deck of the carrier witnessed the midair collision. If I read it right, the aircraft were setting up for "recovery" (landing to us land based fliers) when the two planes ran into each other. The recovered pilot ejected immediately but the report did not state whether the pilot of the other aircraft ejected or went down with it.

Edit: And now this sad update, which makes me believe I was right when stating that the other pilot probably rode it in.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/13/rescuers-end-search-for-navy-pilot-after-crash/?intcmp=latestnews

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Sucks. When there are so many undeserving animals still living.