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By David E. Graham
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
August 27, 2004
A Navy fighter jet lay in San Diego Bay after missing its landing last night at North Island Naval Air Station. The pilot ejected before the jet hit the water.
A Navy fighter jet ended up in San Diego Bay last night after it ran out of runway while landing at North Island Naval Air Station.
The lone pilot ejected before the plane hit the water, and he ended up in the bay and was pulled from the water, officials said. The pilot, apparently uninjured, told rescuers his brakes failed.
The plane, an F/A-18C Hornet from a carrier off the coast, was partially submerged in the bay last night.
"The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft and ended up just beyond the runway," said Cmdr. Ed Buclatin, a spokesman for Naval Air Forces.
He was taken to San Diego Naval Medical Center, where he seemed in good condition, Buclatin said.
The nickname "Lucky" was painted on the side of the plane by the cockpit.
U.S. Coast Guard and San Diego Harbor Police helped rescue the pilot.
The plane, in Strike Fighter Squadron 151 with the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, had flown from the ship to North Island, Buclatin said.
The Lincoln is now off the coast. Buclatin said he did not know why the Hornet had come to North Island.
In March, two military planes crashed in the county.
On March 10, a Marine UC-35D Cessna jet went down at Miramar Marine Air Station when it was trying to land. Four Marines died.
On March 29, a Navy F-14 Tomcat, from Oceana Naval Air Station, Va., crashed into the sea about two miles off Point Loma, after it reportedly developed engine problems. The two-man crew ejected safely and two Navy contract employees in a nearby boat rescued them.
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By David E. Graham
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
August 27, 2004
A Navy fighter jet lay in San Diego Bay after missing its landing last night at North Island Naval Air Station. The pilot ejected before the jet hit the water.
A Navy fighter jet ended up in San Diego Bay last night after it ran out of runway while landing at North Island Naval Air Station.
The lone pilot ejected before the plane hit the water, and he ended up in the bay and was pulled from the water, officials said. The pilot, apparently uninjured, told rescuers his brakes failed.
The plane, an F/A-18C Hornet from a carrier off the coast, was partially submerged in the bay last night.
"The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft and ended up just beyond the runway," said Cmdr. Ed Buclatin, a spokesman for Naval Air Forces.
He was taken to San Diego Naval Medical Center, where he seemed in good condition, Buclatin said.
The nickname "Lucky" was painted on the side of the plane by the cockpit.
U.S. Coast Guard and San Diego Harbor Police helped rescue the pilot.
The plane, in Strike Fighter Squadron 151 with the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, had flown from the ship to North Island, Buclatin said.
The Lincoln is now off the coast. Buclatin said he did not know why the Hornet had come to North Island.
In March, two military planes crashed in the county.
On March 10, a Marine UC-35D Cessna jet went down at Miramar Marine Air Station when it was trying to land. Four Marines died.
On March 29, a Navy F-14 Tomcat, from Oceana Naval Air Station, Va., crashed into the sea about two miles off Point Loma, after it reportedly developed engine problems. The two-man crew ejected safely and two Navy contract employees in a nearby boat rescued them.
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