Navy Jet Crashes into Apartment Complex in Virginia Beach

In this area of heavy military presence seeing both Navy jets on the southside and Air Force jets on the Peninsula is a common occurence and in some areas the roar of jet noise is so frequent that it almost goes unnoticed. Today, that changed for many in Virginia Beach where a Navy F/A-18 Hornet experienced trouble on take off and slammed into an apartment complex on Fleming Circle at Birdneck Road. Information on casualties is still uncertain. Here are highlights from the Virginian Pilot available so far:

Two pilots ejected from a Navy F/A-18 Hornet this afternoon shortly before the plane apparently slammed into the Mayfair Mews apartment complex on Fleming Circle at Birdneck Road. A witness said half the building appeared to be missing. Cmdr. Phil Rosi, a spokesman for Naval Air Force Atlantic, said both aviators safely ejected from the plane, which appeared to encounter difficulties shortly after takeoff. The jet, a two-seater, belongs to VFA (Strike Fighter Squadron) 106, a training squadron for student pilots.

The fire was mostly under control, but had not been declared out. Two buildings were on fire after the crash at 12:05 p.m., but several more were affected, Riley said. Virginia State Police have shut down Interstate 264 in both directions at Laskin Road, said spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Anaya.

Hopefully, no one was in the apartment building that suffered a direct hit and which was apparently largely destroyed.