An F/A-18 D two seat Hornet crashed into the Atlantic Wednesday, approximately 35 miles off the coast of Beaufort.  The pilot and the weapons systems  officer, members of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, ejected safely.

The aircraft apparently experienced the failure of both engines at around 5:30 pm forcing both crewmen to eject. The plane crashed into the Atlantic far from any populated areas. MCAS Beaufort, with the assistance of the Coast Guard, will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The two crewmen were rescued by a Coast Guard Search and Rescue team from Charleston, about an hour after bailing out. They were flown back to MCAS Beaufort where they were to undergo a thorough medical examination. Their identities have not been released.