The incident occurred at approximately 10:15am when the aircraft, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135, crashed while attempting to land at Naval Air Station North Island. The crash occurred very close to Kona Kai Resort, and guests reported the hotel shaking.听
"At approximately 10:15 PDT, a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 crashed while landing," read a statement from Naval Air Forces.
The call reporting the crash came in a little before 10:30am. Two pilots were on board at the time of the crash, and no other passengers were reported. Both pilots safely ejected from the aircraft prior to impact.听A sport fishing charter picked them up before transferring them to the Coast Guard.
The call reporting the crash came in a little before 10:30am. Two pilots were on board at the time of the crash, and no other passengers were reported. Both pilots safely ejected from the aircraft prior to impact.听A sport fishing charter picked them up before transferring them to the Coast Guard.
听"Two aircrew ejected into San Diego Bay and were quickly recovered before being transported to a local hospital for medical assessment. Both personnel are in stable condition," the statement continued.听
The Growler had traveled from听Naval Air Station Whidbey Island听in Washington state and was in San Diego for an exercise, but it was not part of the air wing currently training with the听Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. After flying over the runway, the crew ejected, and the plane crashed into the water. The aviators were initially picked up by a sport fishing charter before being transferred to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations small boat for transport to听UC San Diego Health.
Following the recovery of the crew, emergency crews responded to deal with the debris and fuel from the crash. Naval Base Coronado has established an听Emergency Operations Center听to manage the response, and the assessment of the crash site is ongoing.听
Following the recovery of the crew, emergency crews responded to deal with the debris and fuel from the crash. Naval Base Coronado has established an听Emergency Operations Center听to manage the response, and the assessment of the crash site is ongoing.听
San Diego Fire-Rescue initially responded but was called off as federal emergency teams took over. The U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Harbor Police handled the rescue and recovery efforts. Harbor Police are currently maintaining a perimeter around the site as the investigation into the cause of the crash continues.
The EA-18G Growler is described as a variant in the F/A-18 family of aircraft that combines the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated听electronic warfare suite. VAQ-135 is based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington.
The EA-18G Growler is described as a variant in the F/A-18 family of aircraft that combines the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated听electronic warfare suite. VAQ-135 is based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington.
Watch the video of the moment the jet crashed into San Diego Bay:
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as information becomes available.
Originally published on February 12, 2025.听
