Harrier Jet Crashes Near Atlantic Beach

Officials say a Marine Corps Harrier jet, based out of Cherry Point, crashed into the ocean Wednesday about 40 miles off Atlantic Beach.

After the pilot of the one-seat aircraft, 1st Lt. D. A. Shipley, was rescued from the water, Cherry Point's search-and-rescue crew flew him to Halyburton Naval Hospital, at Cherry Point, where he received a preliminary medical evaluation and was then released.

The crash occurred about 5 p.m. during a routine training mission. An AV-8B Harrier aircraft stationed at MCAS Cherry Point crashed about 40 miles off the North Carolina coast, and about 55 miles from Cherry Point.

The air station's search-and-rescue crew was launched in a Pedro helicopter. The U.S. Coast Guard assisted, resulting in the pilot's recovery from the water.

Shipley and aircraft were assigned to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203. The crash is under investigation.