Navy pilot rescued after F/A-18 Super Hornet crashes off Virginia
A Navy pilot rescued after F/A-18 Super Hornet crashes off Virginia coast
A Navy pilot was rescued from the waters off Virginia on Wednesday after an F/A-18 Super Hornet went down during a routine training flight. The crash occurred around 10 a.m. ET, and the pilot, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 in Virginia Beach, was found by search and rescue crews at 11:21 a.m. The pilot was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, while the jet remains in the water as the Navy investigates the cause.
Navy to determine safety stand-down after investigation
Following the investigation, the Navy will determine whether to order a safety stand-down, which involves pausing operations to focus on safety training and risk reduction. This incident adds to a series of F/A-18 mishaps, including a recent case where a Super Hornet slid into the Red Sea after failing to land on the USS Harry S. Truman. Fortunately, both pilots ejected safely in that incident.
A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet landing on a carrier. (Kittie Vandenbosch-us Navy/Getty Images)
Concerns over F/A-18 safety and procurement decisions
With each F/A-18 costing about $67 million, recent mishaps have raised concerns about the safety of these aircraft. One former senior defense official highlighted the need for a closer examination of these incidents, especially given the challenges facing the Navy. The official also noted the scrutiny faced by other aircraft types like the F-35 and V-22, questioning why the Super Hornets seem to “get a pass.”
In May, a Super Hornet slid into the Red Sea after failing to land on the USS Harry S. Truman. (Andreas Solero/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite the recent accidents, the Navy plans to buy 17 more Super Hornets in 2024, citing the need for these aircraft. Data from Naval Safety Command shows that the F/A-18 fleet has been involved in several Class A flight mishaps in recent years, with an average rate of 2.18 mishaps per 100,000 flight hours.
Continued monitoring of F/A-18 safety record
As of August 2025, there have been seven Class A flight mishaps, three of which involved F/A-18s. The Navy is closely monitoring the safety record of these aircraft, as well as the overall mishap rates across all manned Navy aircraft. With 82 Class B mishaps and 307 Class C mishaps recorded over the past decade, the Navy remains vigilant in ensuring the safety of its pilots and crew members.
