Marine Hornet Pilots Rescued Off Coast

CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Two Marine Corps fighter pilots have been rescued from the ocean off South Carolina after their aircraft went down.

The U.S. Coast Guard says it was notified by the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort at about 5:17 p.m. Wednesday that two pilots aboard a Marine F/A-18D Hornet went down about 35 miles off the coast.

Authorities say two parachutes were spotted, indicating that the pilots had ejected. A Coast Guard helicopter from Charleston rescued the pilots about an hour after the crash.

A Marine Corps news release says the jet suffered dual engine failure during a training exercise.

Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer Christopher P. Evanson says neither pilot needed to be hospitalized.