Pilot Rescued After Another F/A-18 Crash

Incident marks the Navy’s fourth Super Hornet loss in less than a year.

Zach Vasile

Friday, August 22, 2025 at 09:44 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

The U.S. Navy’s F/A-18F Block III Super Hornet takes to the skies over St. Louis, Missouri. [Credit: Boeing]

Key Takeaways:

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed into the ocean off Virginia during a routine training flight.
The pilot safely ejected and was rescued within approximately 90 minutes, then transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, and the aircraft has not been recovered.
This marks the fourth F/A-18 loss for the Navy in recent months, following three other incidents involving crashes or falling overboard.

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A U.S. Navy pilot was rescued Wednesday morning after their F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet crashed into ocean waters off of Virginia.

In a statement, Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Jackie Parashar confirmed a pilot assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 83 ejected from their aircraft during a routine training flight. Search and rescue teams were deployed, and after about an hour and a half, the pilot was located and pulled from the water.