A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet plunged into the waters off Virginia on Wednesday morning, prompting a swift rescue operation to recover the pilot.
According to Fox News, the accident marks the most recent in a string of Navy Super Hornet mishaps as officials evaluate ongoing airframe safety.
The fighter jet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 83 out of Virginia Beach, went down at approximately 10 a.m. Eastern Time during a routine training mission. The unit operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana, where multiple Super Hornet squadrons are based. A Navy spokesperson confirmed the aircraft went into the water off the Virginia coast.
At 11:21 a.m., Navy search and rescue teams located the pilot and transported them to a nearby hospital. The extent of the pilot’s injuries has not been disclosed, though their successful rescue helped prevent a fatal outcome. The aircraft remains submerged underwater as recovery efforts and an investigation begin.
Officials from Naval Air Force Atlantic said the cause of the crash is unknown and will be the subject of a formal inquiry. According to Lt. Jackie Parashar, a spokesperson for the command, the crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. The Navy will assess whether flight operations for the F/A-18 fleet should be temporarily paused during the investigation.
Recent Accidents Underscore Fleet Concerns
This week’s crash is only the latest in a troubling pattern involving the F/A-18 Super Hornet, which has faced multiple operational incidents in recent months. In May, a similar aircraft slipped into the Red Sea during an attempted landing on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. Both pilots successfully ejected and were recovered.
Only one week before that incident, another Super Hornet rolled off the same carrier during a towing operation on the flight deck. No pilot was onboard at the time, but the mishap raised additional concerns over procedural safety and equipment reliability. A third major incident took place last December, when a Super Hornet was mistakenly shot down in a friendly fire case over the Red Sea. That aircraft belonged to Strike Fighter Squadron 11 stationed at Oceana.
The latest crash draws attention not only for its timing but also for the broader implications it carries for naval aviation safety. Super Hornets are among the most widely used combat aircraft in the U.S. Navy inventory, and each unit carries a price tag of approximately $67 million.
Fleet Mishap Rates Show Persistent Challenges
While dramatic incidents capture headlines, safety data paints a more nuanced picture. Since fiscal year 2015, F/A-18 model jets—including the E and F variants and the EA-18G Growler—have been involved in 42 Class A flight mishaps. According to Navy classifications, a Class A mishap refers to an incident that results in death, complete aircraft destruction, or damage exceeding $2.5 million.
The rate of Class A mishaps for the Super Hornet family currently stands at 2.18 per 100,000 flight hours. That figure is slightly below the Navy-wide rate for all manned aircraft, which averages 2.29 per 100,000 flight hours. In both 2023 and 2024, the Navy registered seven Class A incidents annually. As of August 2025, that number has reached seven again—with three involving F/A-18s.
Beyond the most serious accidents, the fleet has also experienced 82 Class B and 307 Class C mishaps over the last ten years. These include events resulting in partial disability, significant material damage, or injuries that result in missed work.
Experts Draw Attention to Disparity in Media Focus
Some defense officials have voiced concern over what they see as uneven public scrutiny. A former senior defense official, speaking to Fox News Digital, noted that other aircraft, such as the F-35 and V-22 Osprey, often receive widespread press attention when they are involved in mishaps. However, by comparison, ongoing issues with the Super Hornet fleet have flown largely under the radar for much of the public.
“It’s interesting to me that the F-35 and V-22 receive extensive scrutiny from the press when a mishap occurs,” said the former official. “Yet the rates of those aircraft stand up well compared to the Navy’s Super Hornets, which somehow get a pass.”
In a reflection of broader operational strain, the same expert added that recent accident trends “deserve to be examined — especially in light of all the other extreme challenges the Navy is facing.” These include aging airframes, increased operational tempo, and budgetary constraints.
Navy Continues Forward with Procurement Despite Risks
In spite of recurring safety concerns, the Navy moved forward with plans to purchase 17 new Super Hornets in 2024. This decision reflects a recognition that mechanical wear, aging systems, and operational risks require continuous replenishment of the fleet. Procurement officials cited aircraft fatigue and anticipated losses in part to justify the investments.
Each newly built F/A-18 comes equipped with advanced sensors, upgraded software, and modernized communication systems. However, these new aircraft will still join a fleet with a long history of varied mechanical and procedural mishaps. The Navy has yet to implement a permanent replacement system for the F/A-18, despite the aircraft's aging design.
For now, Navy flight operations continue as the investigation into Wednesday’s crash gets underway. Officials have not announced whether a safety stand-down will be ordered, though such actions are standard following high-profile accidents or patterns of repeated incidents.
Outlook Remains Uncertain Amid Safety Review
The submerged aircraft has not yet been recovered, and officials have not indicated when salvage efforts will begin. Recovery of flight data and cockpit voice recorders typically helps shed light on pilot decisions and technical failures that may have contributed to the crash.
As the Navy considers whether to suspend certain flight operations, the broader implications of the incident remain top of mind for military leaders and aviation experts alike. With several months left in 2025, the Super Hornet fleet has already exceeded its typical annual mishap count.
Whether the ongoing investigations lead to changes in aircraft procedures, maintenance protocols, or pilot training remains to be seen. For now, safety analysts and Navy personnel alike are keeping a close watch on the skies.
