Several images of the jet amid engulfed buildings surfaced on Twitter. Image above courtesy of @djpostl
VIRGINA BEACH (TRP) – A Naval fighter jet used for training student pilots crashed into two apartment buildings near Virgina Beach Friday, a spokesman for the Naval Air Force Atlantic confirmed.
The horrific crash happened shortly after 12 p.m. Fortunately, no fatalities or serious injuries were reported.
The jet, described has a F/A-18 Hornet — a two-seat jet belonging to VFA 106, crashed in the vicinity of Birdneck Rd. Moments after impact, two apartment buildings were engulfed in flames.
CNN reports:
The two crew members ejected safely, the Navy said. Resident Pat Kavanaugh told CNN affiliate WTKR that he and others found one of them still strapped to his seat with a lacerated face. Kavanaugh said he was on his couch when he heard a loud boom and was startled to see a parachute hanging from the building.
In shock, the pilot apologized for his jet crashing into the apartment complex, and residents pulled him safely away from the fiery crash zone, said Kavanaugh, a retired rescue worker.
VFA-106 jets are typically used for training student pilots. Residents and witnesses flooded phone calls into police after the initial impact which caused blast described as a “boom.”
The incident prompted Virginia State Police to shut down Interstate 264 in both directions at Laskin Road, said spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Anaya.
"Fighter Jet crashes in Virginia Beach behind my house." tweets @charlieolson1
the RAMOS project 
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