All 11 people injured in a fire aboard an aircraft carrier yesterday are reported in stable condition today.
Eight sailors, a Marine and two civilians working on the flight deck of the USS Stennis were injured in the fire, which broke out after a fighter jet suffered catastrophic engine failure.
The F18-C Hornet was in a catapult preparing for launch when the accident happened, just before 3 yesterday afternoon.
The pilot of the fighter was not injured. Seven of those injured on the deck nearby were treated in the ship's medical center. Four saiors were flown back to the Navy Medical Center in San Diego; one of those has already been treated and released.
The accident is classed as a “Class A Mishap,” which refers to damage of more than $1 million. The F18-C is a $32 million aircraft.
The fire was extinguished promptly and the aircraft carrier was not damaged. Flight training to certify marine jet fighters has already resumed this afternoon.
An investigation is under way.