Navy Jet Crashes into Apartment complex: Pilot Praised for Averting Disaster

As of Friday night, three people from one of five apartment buildings heavily damaged in the crash were unaccounted for, down from 30.

A Navy fighter jet experienced a "catastrophic mechanical malfunction" during takeoff Friday over the military community of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and rained a stench of jet fuel shortly before crashing into apartment buildings, according to residents and Navy officials.

click picture for complete story and photographs

The Navy jet crashed Friday into the apartments sending flames and thick black smoke into the air, a military spokesman and a witness said. At least two people were hurt, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The two pilots, a Virginia Beach police officer, an EMS volunteer and three other people were treated at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. One of the pilots was admitted, while the other six patients were released, the hospital's website said.