F/A-18 Jet Crashes into Apartment Complex After Takeoff

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/...inia-beach

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - 3:14 p.m. Adm. John C. Harvey, Jr., commander with the U.S. Fleet Forces issued a statement that all the resources of the Navy in Hampton Roads are being made available to the City of Virginia Beach "as we all deal with the impacts and recovery from this terrible mishap."

3:00 p.m . Interstate 264 has reopened in both directions at Rosemont Road and First Colonial Road. Traffic will be moving slowly. Residents needing help from the American Red Cross can call 757-536-9859.

2:49 p.m . Virginia Beach Fire Battalion Chief Tim Riley says no injuries have been reported from the ground at this time. Oceana fire crews on scene have worked with Virginia Beach fire officials on drills before this incident during training situations. Right now, Riley says the main concern is with carbon fibers from the smoke, and the top priority at this time is containing the smoke. Fire officials are in contact with the apartment complex management to ensure that no one was in the buildings at the time of the accident. There are no reports of missing family members.

2:30 p.m. Officials with the Navy and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital will be briefing the public on the jet crash at 3 p.m. EST.

2:05 p.m. - Interstate 264 eastbound is closed at Rosemont Road in Virginia Beach, one westbound lane has been opened, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Congressman Scott Rigell released the following statement:

"Our prayers are with our entire Hampton Roads and military communities right now as our first responders are admirably addressing the situation on the ground. I have spoken with Governor McDonnell, Mayor Sessoms, and leadership at Naval Air Station Oceana, and my office and I stand ready to assist as appropriate."

1:48 p.m. - One westbound lane of Interstate 264 has reopened at Laskin Road after the Naval jet crash. The American Red Cross is also responding to help those in need.

The Navy confirms to WAVY.com that an F/A-18D jet has crashed in Virginia Beach Friday afternoon.

Grazia Moyers, spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Police Department, told WAVY.com just before 12:30 p.m. what police believe is a military aircraft went down.

Cmdr. Phil Rosi with Naval Air Forces Atlantic told WAVY.com the plane was an F/A-18D with Strike Fighter Squadron 106 that crashed just after noon right after takeoff. Rosi added two aircrew safely ejected from the plane that was based at Naval Air Station Oceana.

Sentara Healthcare says one pilot is at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.

Moyer told WAVY.com officers were going door to door at the Mayfair Mews Apartments off of Fleming Drive in Virginia Beach to see if any residents are inside their homes.

Further information is not available at this time.

Police have responded to the scene at this time and will assist the military and the State Police, Moyer added.

Virginia State Police have shut down Interstate 264 at Laskin Road in both directions, Sgt. Anaya with the VSP said.

Virginia Department of Transportation traffic cameras showed thick, black smoke rising from the Birdneck Road area Friday afternoon around 12:30 p.m.

WAVY.com has a crew on the scene and will have more as soon as it comes in.

This is literally close as f'uck to me. I didn't hear the boom (I had headphones on), but my dad said he did. For reference, my dad took this picture with his iPhone :

 Spoiler

Triangle Warning Blimps = Crash Site
Blue Dot = My house

Heard about it and instantly thought of you.

Friend told me about this. Normally takes him 10 mins~ to get to work. He accidentally took the interstate and didn't get to work an hour later. I'm glad I live in Chesapeake and not Va Beach :V

Also he says apparently this is not the first time something like this has happened.

how the hell did this even happen? glad to hear you're ok, and that so far no apparent victims around

At least it doesn't seem that there were any deaths, from the updated article.