CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard rescued two Navy pilots Thursday morning after their T-34C Turbo Mentor aircraft crashed approximately 2 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi called Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders requesting assistance after their aircraft crashed at approximately 10:20 a.m. The Coast Guard immediately launched crews aboard an HU-25 Falcon jet and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
A second Navy aircrew was able to locate the first pilot and the Coast Guard Falcon crew located the second. Both pilots were recovered by the Coast Guard helicopter crew and taken to Spohn Shoreline Memorial Hospital.
They were reported to be in stable condition.
“Fortunately, we were able to get on-scene quickly and get the pilots out of the water. It’s easy to become hypothermic with the water temperatures still as cold as they are. So a fast response and getting them out of the elements was very important,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Jesse Weaver, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer that helped recover the pilots. “I’m glad we were able to be there for them.”
