[A.A. Cunningham]

Either VFA-25 or VFA-113

[mtbopfuyn]

A jet at the bottom of the ocean is hardly what one should be calling a "mishap".

[1rudeboy]

The pilot of the plane ditched on Saturday night, whose name was not released, spent 15 minutes in the ocean before being rescued but was not injured.

15 minutes? Did the aviator even get wet?

[arasina]

"It was attempting to land on the flight deck during night flights," he said. "The pilot ejected and was rescued using one of our helicopters."

IT was attempting to land? Did IT decide to land in the drink in direct disobedience to the pilot? (Sorry, I just think that's funny wording. Glad the pilot is okay.)

[A knight without armor]

Something cool for archeologists to find thousands of years from now.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Well, this should keep the Chinese busy for a while.

[mhking]

"Oops!"

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[LibWhacker]

Lt-Cdr Ross refused to reveal the exact location of the ship when the incident happened for security reasons but it was believed to be in deep water past the edge of the continental shelf.

Just curious... Anyone know where I can find uptodate and reasonably accurate sea charts online? Started looking after reading this article, but could only find old collectible historical maps which are for sale and completely unreadable on this monitor. Just want to see exactly how deep the ocean is off Brisbane, where the continental shelf is, etc. Thx.

[originalbuckeye]

With a son who aspires to fly fighter jets, I'm REALLY glad to read that the pilot is OK.

[A.A. Cunningham]

USS Ronald Reagan FA/18-C Aircraft Mishap
Story Number: NNS060129-01
Release Date: 1/29/2006 2:20:00 PM

By U.S. Seventh Fleet Public Affairs

BRISBANE, Australia (NNS) -- A single seat F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 and to Carrier Air Wing 14 was involved in a mishap while attempting to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) approximately 120 miles southeast of Brisbane, Australia, Jan. 28 at approximately 4:17 a.m. (PST).

The pilot ejected safely and was recovered. There were no injuries.

The name of the pilot will not be released until next-of-kin have been notified. USS Ronald Reagan and the embarked airwing remain fully mission capable and ready to respond as required.

VFA-25 operates from Lemoore, Calif. The F/A-18C is a single seat, twin engine, mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft.

The incident is currently under investigation.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22109