Navy says human error caused jet crash in San Diego Bay last winter

The crash of a Navy jet into San Diego Bay last February after its crew ejected was caused by human error and represents a $109 million loss for the military, according to a Navy investigation report.

The mishap occurred on Feb. 12, 2025, and involved two crew members from Electronic Attack Squadron 135 out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., who were participating in a joint training exercise based at North Island.

The crew members were using an E/A-18G Growler equipped with software they were not familiar with. The software issued a warning advisory during aerial refueling that should have been handled differently, says the report, which the Union-Tribune obtained this week through the Freedom of Information Act.

The pilot and his electronic warfare officer also struggled with a wet runway at Naval Air Station North Island during their second attempt to land, when winds were creating a tailwind on the air strip. They were unable to sufficiently slow the jet, forcing them to use the plane’s afterburners to pull up.

The unidentified pilot says in the report that the plane’s brakes felt “mushy” and that he felt “the jet was not going to stop in time.” He said the tower controller called out “not enough runway,” which he said “caused some confusion and concern,” and he called for the ejection.

They were carried into the harbor by...