How this Navy jet ended up 3,000 feet under the Atlantic

Apr 2, 2018

1 minute read

SUMMARY

The US Coast Guard rescued a Navy pilot whose jet crashed in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida Keys. Lt. Russ Chilcoat said in a news release

The US Coast Guard rescued a Navy pilot whose jet crashed in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida Keys.

Lt. Russ Chilcoat said in a news release the pilot ejected and was rescued in early August with no apparent injuries. The crash happened some 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Key West. The pilot, whose name wasn't released, was the only person on board.

A US Navy Northrop F-5N Tiger II assigned to Fighter Squadron Composite 111 "Sun Downers" launches from Boca Chica Field of Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. (US Navy photo)

Chilcoat says parts of the F-5N were recovered but the rest is under about 3,000 feet (900 meters) of water. He says the Navy has no immediate plans to recover the aircraft.

The pilot is attached to Fighter Composite Squadron 111, the "Sun Downers," based at Naval Air Station Key West. Officials say the jet was conducting training operations and the cause of the crash wasn't immediately known.