Video: Navy Reserve F-5 Crashes Off of Key West; Pilot in Good Condition After Coast Guard Rescue

August 9, 2017 4:49 PM - Updated: August 9, 2017 8:13 PM
The U.S. Coast Guard rescues a member of VFC-111 following an Aug. 9, 2017 off of Key West, Fla. Coast Guard Image

A Navy Reserve pilot was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after his F-5 Tiger II crashed off the coast of Key West, Fla., a Coast Guard spokesperson told USNI News on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Navy, the pilot went down about 20 nautical miles off the coast south east of Key West at about 12:38 p.m. EST during a training operation.

“The watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew to conduct a search,” read a statement from the Coast Guard.
“The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 1:15 p.m., observed an emergency smoke signal and located the pilot in the water. The rescue crew hoisted the pilot from the water and brought him back to Lower Keys Medical Center in good condition.”

The F-5 is attached to Fighter Squadron Composite 111 (VFC-111) Sundowners based at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. The reserve unit fills in the role of aggressor aircraft in Navy, Marine Corps and other service’s fighter training exercises. Until the crash, the squadron operated 18 of the F-5s.

The circumstances around the crash are now under investigation, according to the Navy.

141104-N-YB753-091
KEY WEST, Fla. (Nov. 4, 2014) An F-5N Tiger II assigned to the Sun Downers of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 111 launches from Boca Chica Field. Naval Air Station Key West is a state-of-the-art facility for air-to-air combat fighter aircraft of all military services and provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Morales/Released

The following is the complete Aug.9, 2017 releases from Coast Guard 7th District and Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve.

Coast Guard rescues Navy pilot from water 20 nautical miles southeast of Key West

MIAMI – The Coast Guard rescued a Navy pilot from the water approximately 20 nautical miles southeast of Key West, Wednesday.

Watchstanders with Coast Guard 7th District Command Center were notified at approximately 1:07 p.m. that a Navy F-5N jet pilot was in the water and needed assistance. The watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew to conduct a search.

The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 1:15 p.m., observed an emergency smoke signal and located the pilot in the water. The rescue crew hoisted the pilot from the water and brought him back to Lower Keys Medical Center in good condition.

Navy Pilot Recovered After Jet Crash

A Navy pilot ejected from his F5-N Tiger II tactical fighter aircraft about 20 nautical miles southeast of Naval Air Station Key West. The pilot was quickly recovered by a Coast Guard helicopter at approximately 1:15 p.m. The pilot, who has not been identified, is assigned to Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 111. He was reported to have no significant injuries. The F5-N Tiger II tactical fighter aircraft crashed into the ocean while conducting training operations off the Florida coast. Report of the jet’s downing came in at 12:38 p.m. The incident is currently under investigation. The pilot was transferred to Lower Keys Medical Center for evaluation

 

 

 

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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