Pilot rescued after Hawker Hunter plane crashes into Pacific Ocean
A pilot was rescued after his Hawker Hunter plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the Central Coast of California on Tuesday, according to authorities.
Following the crash, the Navy grounded Hawker Hunters operated by government contractor, the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), while the mishap is under investigation, according to a public information officer for NAVAIR and the Navy's 266 Adversary and Specialized Aircraft program.
The plane, an MK-58 Hawker Hunter, crashed into the ocean around 6:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday after the pilot reported an engine issue, an FAA spokesperson said. The pilot was the only person on board.
On air traffic control audio obtained from LiveATC.net, the pilot told controllers, "Mayday, mayday, mayday. I have lost thrust in my engine."
According to the NTSB, the pilot ejected from the plane.
The Coast Guard said it received notice of a downed aircraft in the water 6 miles northwest of Morro Bay on Tuesday evening and the person on board was rescued by the Navy.
The pilot is in good condition, said John Rupp, the director of global military sales at ATAC. He is at a hospital in Fresno and has not been released yet, but is in "great condition, great spirits, and no significant injuries," Rupp said.
The NTSB and FAA are investigating the incident. The plane is 53 years old, according to FAA records.
The Navy's grounding of the planes is standard practice, according to Rupp who said ATAC supported the Navy in that decision. There are 22 of these aircraft in ATAC's fleet, according to the Navy public information officer.
Rupp said the plane was based at Naval Base Ventura County. They routinely fly out of there in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.
This specific mission was in support of their contract with the Navy and Marine Corps, and the plane that crashed was one of four ATAC aircraft flying in support of the mission.
