Military aircraft skids off runway near Shelter Island

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – UPDATE 5:52 p.m. – The U.S. Navy pilot who safely ejected from a U.S. Navy T-45C Goshawk near Naval Air Station North Island has been released from the hospital and is in stable condition.

The pilot was transported to University of California, San Diego Medical Center for medical evaluation. 

The Navy is currently working to crane the aircraft out of the water.

FRIDAY 2:00 p.m. – A U.S. Navy T-45C aircraft slid off the Naval Station runway in the San Diego Bay near Shelter Island around 2 p.m. 

According to LT Reagan B. Lauritzen, Public Affairs Officer/Media Officer for Naval Air Station North Island, the pilot was able to safely eject from the aircraft and is currently being evaluated at a local hospital. 

Local mariners safely recovered the pilot from San Diego Bay.

The aircraft was conducting routine training in advance of aircraft carrier landing qualifications prior to the mishap.

The Navy has not officially confirmed the status of the aircraft crewmember.

A safety investigation will be carried out to determine the cause.

For questions regarding this incident, contact Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs at 619-767-1623.