Pilot Ejected Safely

An F/A-18 Hornet completing a trap on the deck of the USS George Washington (CVN-73) has been involved in a landing accident in which the aircraft went over the side, injuring a dozen sailors in the course of the accident.

During operations off the Virginia Coast, the Hornet reportedly suffered a tailhook failure (though some of the descriptions sound more like a cable break), scattering debris that injured crewmen onboard the "GeeDub."

Five crew members were medically evacuated, with injuries, late Thursday. The aircraft, from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, crashed into the water while the pilot safely ejected and was immediately recovered.

Notification of families is ongoing. The injured personnel included crew members from Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW ) 120, VFA 106 and from the crew of George Washington. George Washington was conducting carrier qualifications operations off the coast of Virginia at the time of the incident. The ship got underway on Tuesday, Sept. 9, for Fleet Replacement Squadron carrier qualifications.

The incident is under investigation.

FMI: www.news.navy.mil