Pilot OK after F-15 crash off Hawaii coast

[unhappycamper]

Pilot OK after F-15 crash off Hawaii coast
By Sudhin Thanawala - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Feb 2, 2008 13:36:07 EST

HONOLULU — A fighter jet among a troubled fleet of F-15s that recently returned to the skies plunged into the ocean Friday, but the pilot ejected in time and was rescued shortly afterward.

A Coast Guard helicopter plucked the Hawaii National Guard pilot from the ocean. He was taken to a hospital and was listed in good condition.

The pilot, whose identity was not released, had extensive flight experience, said Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, the Hawaii National Guard commander.

“Our first concern was whether the pilot was OK,” Lee told KHON-TV. “I got the chance to visit with him in the hospital. He’s terrific.”

The pilot said he could not control the plane and started to lose altitude before the crash, according to Lee. That’s when he made the decision to eject and parachuted to the water 60 miles south of Honolulu.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_f15crash_080202/