Navy Plane Crashes in Oregon, Four Escape

Navy Orders E-A-6-B Prowler Aircraft Grounded for Safety Review

EA6B Prowlers are used for low level radar jamming and electronic warfare Photo Courtesy: londonairshow.com

(Pendleton AP) - A Navy jet crashed Friday during a training mission in a remote northeastern corner of Oregon.

Authorities say all four crew members ejected safely, though one member suffered a broken leg.

The E-A-6-B Prowler from the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island crashed north of Pendleton near the Washington state border.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Cheryl Seigal, spokeswoman for the Umatilla County sheriff's office, says says training runs by military aircraft are common in the area.

In November 2001, a Prowler jet flown out of Whidbey Island crashed on the Olympic Peninsula. A Navy investigation found that the crashes were caused by a defective bearing in the right engine that years earlier had been recommended for redesign.

The electronic warfare plane carries a pilot and three tactical crew members who can jam enemy radar and communications while providing countermeasures to defend against radar-guided guns and missiles.

Friday's crash is the Navy's ninth major crash since October first and military officials are taking an unusual step to reduce mishaps.

The Navy says it will ground all its aircraft for half a day next week for an internal safety review.

The safety stand down will affect 38-hundred aircraft and thousands of naval aviation personnel, including aircraft on 12 carriers around the world.

It is the first time since September 1997 that such a pause in flight operations across the Navy has been ordered.

The Navy says grounding the flights is not related to any specific equipment or flying problem, but rather is a way to refocus on safety, risk management and other procedures.

All naval aviation squadrons will be required to complete the safety review by the end of next week, but no particular day is being designated.