Navy jet crashes into Virginia apartment building, 2 pilots eject

photo The burning fuselage of an F/A-18 Hornet lies smoldering after crashing into a residential building in Virginia Beach, Va., Friday, April 6, 2012. The Navy did not immediately return telephone messages left by The Associated Press, but media reports indicate the two aviators were able to eject from the jet before it crashed. They were being treated for injuries that were not considered life threatening.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A Navy jet with two aviators aboard crashed today into an apartment building in Virginia Beach, according to the Navy and media reports.

There were no immediate reports of injuries on the ground. TV footage showed black smoke billowing from near some buildings and local TV stations said the jet hit an apartment building.

The Navy did not immediately return telephone messages left by The Associated Press. But the Navy confirmed on its official Twitter account that both pilots ejected.

They were being treated for injuries that were not considered life threatening.

The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk quoted a spokesman for Naval Air Force Atlantic who said the jet crashed in the vicinity of Birdneck Road in the sprawling resort city.

The Hampton Roads area of Virginia has a large concentration of military bases, including Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world. Naval Air Station Oceana is located in Virginia Beach.

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