Watch the dramatic moment A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler fighter jet crashes into San Diego Harbor Wednesday during a routine “go-around” maneuver.
Both pilots ejected just before the aircraft plunged into the water and were rescued by a nearby fishing boat. They were then transferred to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection vessel before being taken to UC San Diego Medical Center for medical observation. The Navy has confirmed that both aviators are in good condition.
Dramatic video footage captured the jet nose-diving into the harbor, creating a massive plume of water and debris. Emergency response teams, including the San Diego Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy, quickly arrived at the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Naval Base Coronado.
The EA-18G Growler is an advanced electronic attack aircraft used by the Navy for jamming enemy radar and communications. This crash follows another Growler accident in October 2024 in Washington State, which tragically resulted in the deaths of two pilots.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the crash. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of military training operations in populated coastal areas.
The Navy has promised a thorough investigation into the crash and will assess whether additional safety measures are needed for future training exercises.