VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - While two F/A-18 Super Hornets were colliding with one another off the coast of North Carolina, News 3 learned that at the very same time, Navy officials were testifying before Congressabout problems with these very same jets.
According to the Navy, the four pilots involved in the multi-jet collision were based out of Naval Air Station Oceana, which is home to 18 squadrons of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets.
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News 3 has learned that while two super hornet jets were crashing into the Atlantic, Capt. Randy Sterns, Commodore of Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic, was telling the Committee of Armed Services problems with maintenance and part shortages are affecting Super Hornet squadrons.
Sterns said, “taking parts off is a last resort,” but that it is a regular occurrence.
Sterns told the House Armed Services Committee problems began with sequestration in 2012, which resulted in a shortage of aircraft and fewer training hours for pilots at Oceana.
It’s unclear what caused the two jets to collide with one another, but navy officials say they’re conducting an investigation.
“At this point, an investigation board will be convened to investigate the mishap and determine the cause,” Mike Maus, the deputy public affairs officer for Naval Air Force Atlantic, told News 3 shortly after the crash.
The Navy was not able to confirm when an investigation team would be put together, or when they expected to have any updates in the cause of the crash.
