Navy jet crashes into Pacific; crew safe

A rescued Navy crewman (C) is assisted from a rescue helicopter by two paramedics

March 31, 1998
Web posted at: 11:07 p.m. EST (0407 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A U.S. Navy S-3 Viking jet crashed Tuesday morning into the Pacific Ocean about 30 miles off the coast of San Diego, a Navy spokesman told CNN.

The four crew members suffered only "minor injuries" after parachuting into the ocean, where rescue teams picked them up a short time after the crash.

Three of the crew are spending the night in the Naval Hospital on Balboa Island in San Diego. The fourth crew member was released after being examined by doctors.

The S-3 was designed as an aircraft carrier-based anti-submarine warfare jet, but has taken on additional roles in recent years such as surveillance and in-flight refueling.

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