Photo credits: H & M Landings
San Diego: A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler crashed into San Diego Bay near Naval Air Station North Island on Wednesday morning.
According to the U.S. Navy officials cited by CBS News, the aircraft crashed around 10:17 a.m. local time. Two pilots, the only individuals aboard, ejected moments before impact.
The crash took place during a “go-around maneuver,” where the aircraft had briefly landed before attempting to take off again.
According to a report from AP News, the pilots were rescued within a minute of hitting the water by Premier, a fishing vessel owned by a local charter company. “Upon observing the pilot’s eject, the crew of Premier quickly navigated toward them before they even hit the water,” H&M Landing, the company that owns the vessel, stated.
Frank Ursitti, the company’s general manager, said, “We are relieved and grateful to have had one of our vessels in the right place at the right time.”
Following their rescue, the pilots were transferred to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations boat and later taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
Watch the moment of impact below:
New footage released shows an EA-18G Growler jet crashing into the San Diego Bay this morning.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 13, 2025
The two pilots ejected before the jet crashed into the water.
The crash caused an 80 foot plume of water and mud, according to a witness.
According to the San Diego Union Tribune,… pic.twitter.com/jGJDYehTYZ
A City of San Diego spokesperson stated that an emergency dive team had been dispatched to the harbor but was recalled once it was confirmed that the pilots had been safely rescued.
The wreckage, described as a “large debris field,” was located near Naval Base Coronado. The San Diego Police Department is currently managing traffic along the shoreline.
The EA-18G Growler is a specialized electronic warfare aircraft developed by Boeing, based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet. It is designed to suppress enemy air defenses and disrupt radar and communication systems.
The aircraft has a length of 60.2 feet, a wingspan of 44.9 feet, and is powered by two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines, capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 1.6. Its operational range extends to approximately 1,570 kilometers when equipped with external fuel tanks.
The U.S. Navy has launched an investigation into the crash to determine its cause. The probe will examine possible mechanical failures, pilot error, environmental conditions, and adherence to operational procedures. The aircraft’s maintenance history and training records of the pilots will also be reviewed.
This is the second EA-18G Growler crash in recent months. In October 2024, a similar aircraft crashed during a routine training flight in Washington state, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.
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