US Navy jet crash kills two crew members


FE Team | Published: March 15, 2018 12:48:19 | Updated: March 16, 2018 11:48:56


Reuters photo used for representational purpose

Two crew members of a US Navy fighter jet were killed after the aircraft crashed Wednesday off the coast of Key West, Florida.

The F/A-18 Super Hornet was on approach to land at the naval air station around 4:30 pm EDT, and crashed into the water about a mile east of the runway.

The pilot and weapons system officer ejected and were recovered, but US Naval Air Forces reported late Wednesday night that both had died.

Their names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The cause of the crash is also under investigation, reports the Associated Press.

The aircraft crew is based out of Naval Air Station Oceana, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Super Hornet is a twin-engine fighter jet that is larger than the single-seat F/A-18 Hornet.

President Donald Trump has tweeted his condolences.

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