Flight Operations Resumed Monday

The U.S. Navy grounded all of its F/A-18E/F Hornets and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft over the weekend following an incident involving a Growler on Friday at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State.

The Military Times reports that a Growler experienced an "on-deck emergency" at about 1100 local time Friday. Both the pilot and the electronic warfare officer were injured in the incident and were taken by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center about 90 miles south of the base.

Naval Air Forces San Diego spokeswoman Lt. Leslie Hubbell told military.com that the incident had something to do with the plane's canopy, but did not elaborate citing the ongoing investigation.

In a news release, the Navy said that safety concerns "necessitated an operational pause for all Super Hornets and Growlers."

NAVAIR and Boeing, the prime contractor for the Hornets and Growlers, said that there were "several factors that likely contributed to the mishap," but offered no specifics. Because the Growler and Super Hornet have similar systems, units across the fleet were directed to take "mitigating measures" with the aircraft. Navy officials said that once "individual squadrons have briefed and incorporated these mitigation measures, they may resume normal flight operations."

Clearance to resume flight operations came Monday.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.navy.mil