VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (WWBT) — A Navy F/A-18D jet on a training flight crashed into a Virginia Beach senior-living complex around 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Military officials say a student pilot was in the front seat with an expert instructor behind him in the cockpit when they experienced a «catastrophic mechanical malfunction» shortly after take-off.

The fighter jet crashed into the Mayfair Mews apartments near Birdneck Road, injuring seven people including the two pilots, according to Virginia Beach Fire Capt. Tim Riley. Of those, three refused treatment and four were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. However, officials say they still have to do a secondary search through the buildings.

«We are taking all possible steps at the state level to provide immediate resources and assistance to those impacted by the crash of an F-18 fighter jet in Virginia Beach,» said Gov. Bob McDonnell in a written statement. «We are monitoring events carefully as they unfold and State Police resources are now on the scene. Our fervent prayer is that no one was injured or killed in this accident.»

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