F/A-18F Jet Launched from US Aircraft Carrier crashes into Philippine Sea, Crew Eject

A US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet launched from the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier crashed into the Philippine Sea on Thursday.

A pilot and a weapons officer who ejected from the aircraft have been recovered and are in good condition, a US Navy release said.

The crash occurred while the Super Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing 11 on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, was conducting “routine pilot proficiency training,” the Navy said Thursday.

"The incident is currently under investigation. Both aviators were assessed by the medical team on board Theodore Roosevelt and are in good condition," the Navy release said.

The crew were picked up by a helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8 from the Roosevelt. They were assessed by medical personnel aboard the aircraft carrier and are in good condition.

The two-seat F variant is the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron 154 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.

The Roosevelt is sailing in the Phillippine Sea. It returned to sea on June 4, after being docked in Guam for more than two months to address a COVID-19 outbreak onboard.

The aircraft carrier is part of group of three carriers and supporting ships that are in the Asia Pacific region in waters near China as part of a Pentagon mission to contain Beijing’s naval and air aggression in the neighborhood of the South China Sea.