Navy pilot rescued from waters after F/A-18 crash off Virginia coast

On August 21, 2025, a Navy pilot conducting a training flight ejected from a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet off the coast of Virginia. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. EDT near the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. Search and rescue teams located the pilot approximately an hour later, around 11:12 a.m., and he was subsequently transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. While the pilot's condition has not been disclosed, the Navy confirmed that the F/A-18E aircraft has not yet been recovered from the water, and an investigation into the cause of the crash has been initiated. This incident represents a continuation of concerning trends regarding the F/A-18 fleet, particularly as it has faced a series of mishaps in recent months. This crash marks the sixth F/A-18 lost over the past ten months, following events such as another aircraft falling off the USS Harry S. Truman in April, and two additional crashes that occurred shortly thereafter. The Navy routinely conducts training flights in this region, but the safety of the F/A-18 fleet has come under scrutiny recently. Navy officials indicated that once the investigation concludes, the Navy may implement a safety stand-down, which is a pause in operations meant to focus on safety training and risk mitigation. As of 2023, the Navy had documented seven Class A flight mishaps this year alone, with three involving F/A-18s, underscoring the critical need for the Navy to address concerns regarding the fleet’s operational safety. Despite the challenges, the Navy plans to acquire more F/A-18 Super Hornets to bolster its capabilities, indicating a recognition of the aircraft's ongoing role within the Navy's strategy. The repeated incidents, however, have ignited discussions about the aircraft's reliability and the adequacy of current safety protocols, highlighting the ongoing complexities the Navy faces in maintaining operational readiness and effectiveness.