An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 following a crash landing at the Bahrain International Airport. Image via Twitter
An F/A-18E Super Hornet pilot assigned to the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is safe after an emergency landing at the Bahrain International Airport on Saturday, U.S. Navy 5th Fleet said.
The Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, had launched from Nimitz and suffered a critical engine failure and was attempting to head to a divert field at Sheik Isa Air Base, Bahrain, Cmdr. Bill Urban said in a statement to USNI News.
“Unable to make it to Isa, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing at Bahrain International Airport. Due to the malfunction, the aircraft could not be stopped on the runway and the pilot ejected from the aircraft as it departed the runway,” Urban said.
“The pilot is uninjured and the incident is under investigation. The Navy is supporting efforts to re-open the runway so the airport may resume normal operations.”
Pictures on Twitter show the fighter resting in the median between runways at the airport. A video on Facebook shows smoke coming from the aircraft.
The Bahrain’s Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry said in a statement the crash was a “minor Incident,” according to The Associated Press.
The following is the complete statement from U.S. 5th Fleet.
Navy F/A-18E Emergency Landing at Bahrain International Airport
“An F/A-18E of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 assigned to the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departed the runway and the pilot ejected during an emergency landing at Bahrain International Airport Aug. 12, 2017.
“During a flight from the Nimitz, an F/A-18E experienced an engine malfunction and attempted to divert to Sheik Isa Air Base, Bahrain. Unable to make it to Isa, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing at Bahrain International Airport. Due to the malfunction, the aircraft could not be stopped on the runway and the pilot ejected from the aircraft as it departed the runway.
“The pilot is uninjured and the incident is under investigation. The Navy is supporting efforts to re-open the runway so the airport may resume normal operations.”
