Instructor And Student Were Able To Eject Safely

Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian reported a T-45C Goshawk jet aircraft assigned to Training Squadron NINE (VT-9), went down Tuesday at approximately 1:53 p.m. while conducting a training flight. The incident occurred off the east runway on board the installation.

The student and instructor pilot were able to eject safely near the airfield.

NAS first responders were dispatched to the scene of the mishap and both pilots were subsequently taken to a local medical facility for evaluation.

The T-45 Goshawk is a tandem-seat, carrier capable, jet trainer whose mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots, according to the Navy.

There are two versions of T-45 aircraft currently in operational use at this time, the T-45A and T-45C derivatives. The T-45A, which became operational in 1991, contains an analog design cockpit while the new T-45C (began delivery in December 1997) is built around a new digital "glass cockpit" design.

The Navy says the aircraft cost $17.2 million each.

(Source: U.S. Navy. Image from file)

FMI: www.navy.mil