Navy jet crashes into Virginia Beach apartment

An F-18 Navy plane crashed into an apartment building Friday in Virginia, according to the Navy and media reports.

The two pilots ejected from the plane safely, the Navy said, and were taken to a local hospital.

The F/A-18D Hornet crashed at about 12:05 p.m. Friday in Virginia Beach, Va. The plane crashed just after takeoff near the base, according to the Navy.

Robert Matthias, assistant to Virginia Beach's city manager, told The Associated Press: "So far, they haven't found any casualties.”

Local TV station WKTR reported that the jet was flying low to the ground and dumping its fuel before it crashed.

Tim Riley, a spokesman for the Virginia Beach Fire Department, said there is "significant" damage to five apartment buildings, according to USA Today.

Riley told WKTR that three of the buildings had structural collapse.

Riley told WKTR that both pilots were conscious after ejecting. He said rescue crews are focused on health risks associated with the fumes from the crash. Firefighters are also still containing the fire.

The Navy said that the pilots were part of Strike Fighter Squadron 106, a training squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.

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