A pilot survived after an Airborne Tactical Advantage Company Hawker Hunter crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Morro Bay, California, on Tuesday evening. The contractor-operated military training jet was flying off the Central Coast when the pilot reported engine thrust loss and ejected before the aircraft went into the water. A U.S. Navy search-and-rescue crew recovered the pilot and took him to hospital.
The aircraft was operating as an adversary/training jet for the U.S. military when the emergency unfolded about six miles northwest of Morro Bay. FAA and NTSB investigators have opened reviews into the crash, while the Navy has grounded Hawker Hunters operated by the contractor pending the mishap inquiry.
Early reports indicated the pilot was in good condition and had no significant injuries, though some details about his condition were not immediately available. Coast Guard crews searched the area for wreckage, but no debris had been recovered at the time of reporting. Authorities also urged boaters to watch for debris or pollution in the crash zone.