The Navy says it has recovered 16,000 pounds of wreckage from the EA-18G Growler jet that crashed into San Diego Bay on Feb. 12. The salvage effort is expected to continue through next week. But the Navy did not indicate whether it will be able to recover major sections of the $67 million plane, which hit the water near the Harbor Police Station on Shelter Island.
The jet’s two crew members safely ejected before the crash and were quickly recovered by a fishing boat.
“Our top priority is a careful and thorough recovery that safeguards the well-being of all involved — residents, service members, and our valued partners,” Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, said in a statement.
“I could not be prouder of the tireless efforts of our Navy Divers and the greater team supporting the salvage. The Navy calls San Diego home, and we appreciate the community’s patience as we work diligently to recover the wreckage, mitigate environmental effects, and restore normal operations in the channel as swiftly and safely as possible.”
The Navy said that civilian vessels won’t be allowed to transit in and out of the Shelter Island basin through the southwestern portion of the channel until the salvage operation ends.
Authorities have not indicated when the Navy will publicly release a report explaining the causes of the crash.
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