Military Training Jet Crashes Off California Coast, Pilot Rescued
A military training jet, an MK-58 Hawker Hunter, crashed into the Pacific Ocean approximately six miles northwest of Morro Bay, California. The pilot, who has not been identified, successfully ejected from the aircraft before impact and was subsequently rescued by a U.S. Navy search-and-rescue helicopter. The incident occurred after the pilot reported a loss of engine thrust. The jet was operated by Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), a private government contractor that provides air support and training for the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The pilot was transported to a hospital in Fresno and is reported to be in good condition. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, focusing on the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment. This is not the first incident involving an ATAC-operated Hawker Hunter off the California coast; another crashed in October of the previous year due to an undetermined engine power loss, and a third in 2022 off the coas...
