Map locating Virginia Beach, Virginia, where a Navy fighter jet crashed into an apartment complex; includes image of a F-18. Staff/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtgfxlive040277
The earliest pictures from the crash really only showed black smoke billowing up from a cluster of apartment complexes that had been hit dead center by an F/A-18 Navy jet, also known as a Super Hornet. The smoke masked, at least from the air, the devastation left by the crash on the Mayfair Mews Apartments in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The two pilots ejected from the plane and were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. But fires raged on in the complex with firefighters estimating significant damage to at least 20 apartments.
The Navy jet took off from the nearby Naval Air Station Oceana and crashed at 12:05 pm (ET) shortly after takeoff. Witnesses report seeing the struggling jet dumping fuel before crashing, likely the pilot’s attempt to prevent an even larger fire from breaking out.
While firefighters are still working to control the blaze, some reports say up to five civilians have been taken to the hospital with no fatalities reported yet.
The Daily Beast has an article covering the timeline with photos and videos loaded to Twitter about the crash.
We will have more pictures and information on this story as it continues to develop. Check back at Newscom to see more pictures as they come in of the crash and fire.
An ejection seat rests in the back yard of a home on 24th Street in Virginia Beach, Virginia, not far from where a Navy F/A-18 aircraft from Naval Air Station Oceana crashed Friday, April 6, 2012. Joe Fudge/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtphotoslive543454
Emergency and fire crews respond at an apartment complex, near Naval Air Station Oceana, that was struck by a Navy jet in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Friday, April 6, 2012. Newport News Daily Press. Find it on Newscom.com: krtphotoslive543453
This image obtained from video coverage by AFPTV/WKTR, shows firefighters trying to contain a fire after a US Navy FA/18D fighter jet crashed into a low-rise apartment building in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on April 6, 2012. AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour381523
This image obtained from video coverage by AFPTV/WKTR, shows police officer guarding the site where a US Navy FA/18D fighter jet crashed into a low-rise apartment building (rear) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on April 6, 2012. The two crew members successfully ejected from the jet which crashed into a populated area in the eastern coastal tourist resort of Virginia Beach, the Navy confirmed on Twitter but there was little word on civilians in the area. AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour381523
Detailed look at the Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, the type of fighter jet that crashed in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Staff/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtgfxlive040278
Firefighters work to control the blaze after the crash of an F-18 navy jet into an apartment building in Virginia Beach, pictured in this aerial frame grab from video on April 6 2012. HANDOUT/Reuters/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrukonworld089336
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Tags: apartments, crash, f/a-18, fighter jet, navy, virginia beach