WHIDBEY ISLAND, FEB. 13: Two Whidbey Island aviators flying a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler crashed Wednesday, Feb. 12 morning off the coast of San Diego.
The two crew members ejected from the military aircraft before it crashed near Shelter Island soon after takeoff around 10:15 a.m. according to the U.S. Navy.
Both crew members were found 10 minutes later by the Coast Guard and are in “good condition” and under medical observation. The aircraft remains submerged, and response teams are actively assessing the scene, NAS Whidbey Island said on Facebook.
The aircraft and crew are assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135, at NAS Whidbey Island. All but one of the Navy’s Growler squadrons, which fly the Boeing-built aircraft, are based at NAS Whidbey Island, the Seattle Times reported.
It’s not clear what led to the crash and an investigation is underway.
