Pilot, officer safe after F-14 crash

April 17, 1996
Web posted at: 3:35 p.m. EDT

NORFOLK, Virginia (CNN) -- A Navy F-14 fighter jet crashed and exploded Wednesday in a wooded area near Oceana Naval Air Station. Officials say the pilot and radar intercept officer ejected safely, sustaining only minor injuries.

A rescue worker was also slightly injured. There were no buildings near the crash site.

Witnesses said two people ejected from the plane, and their parachutes opened, WAVY-TV in Virginia Beach reported. The reason for the crash is under investigation.

It is the most recent of four F-14 accidents, including the fatal crash of an F-14A in January in a Nashville neighborhood that killed the Navy pilot, a crew member and three people on the ground. Investigators ruled that crash was due to pilot error.

In February, the Navy ordered a halt to all F-14 flight operations for three days after another of the jets crashed in the Persian Gulf. The pilot and radar intercept officer ejected safely and were rescued.

The Navy issued the order to give technicians time to determine if there was a safety problem with the jet.

Also early this year, an F-14D crashed in the Pacific, killing two.

Related stories:

• Navy orders all F14s to stop flying after another crash - February 22, 1996
• String of accidents plagues F-14 - January 30, 1996
• Squadron grounded during crash probe - January 30, 1996
• F-14 crashes in Nashville neighborhood - January 29, 1996

Related site:

• Tomcat Web page

Feedback Send us your comments. Selected responses are posted daily.

| CONTENTS | SEARCH | CNN HOME PAGE | MAIN US NEWS PAGE |

---

Copyright © 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.