An F/A 18F Super Hornet, assigned to the “Blacklions” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, flies over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during flight operations. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated with an additional statement from the U.S. Navy.
Two Navy aviators are dead after an F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed off the coast of Key West, Fla. on Wednesday during a routine training flight, Navy officials told USNI News.
The fighter suffered a mishap on approach to Naval Air Station Key West and both the pilot and the weapon systems officer ejected from the aircraft.
“Search and rescue crews were notified shortly after the crash where they recovered both the pilot and weapons systems officer from the water approximately one mile east of the runway. Both were taken by ambulance to Lower Keys Medical Center,” read a statement from commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic.
“Both aviators have been declared deceased. Per Department of Defense policy, the names of the aviators are being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification.”
The fighter was attached to Strike Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 213 “Black Lions” based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
Amateur photos from shortly after the crash show a Navy MH-60 helicopter over the crash site.
“I saw the fire and then it just dropped,” witness Barbie Wilson told the FLKeysNews shortly after the crash.
“In the air, I saw fire.”
The incident is under investigation.
The following is the complete March 14, 2018 statement from AIRLANT.
F/A-18F Crash Off Coast of Florida
An F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed on final approach to Boca Chica Field, Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida at approximately 4:30 pm eastern time today.
Search and rescue crews were notified shortly after the crash where they recovered both the pilot and weapons systems officer from the water approximately one mile east of the runway. Both were taken by ambulance to Lower Keys Medical Center.
Both aviators have been declared deceased. Per Department of Defense policy, the names of the aviators are being withheld until 24 hours after next-of- kin notification.
The F/A-18F is a dual-seated aircraft assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron Two One Three(VFA-213) based at Naval Air Station Oceana and was conducting a training flight.
The cause of the mishap is currently under investigation.