Military pilot home recovering after jet crash off Wrightsville Beach

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Military officials said the pilot of the AV-8B Harrier who ejected yesterday evening before his jet crashed off the coast of Wrightsville Beach has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.

1st Lt. Maida Zheng, a spokeswoman with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, said the pilot inflated a personal flotation device and was also able to inflate and board a life raft until he was picked up by a H-60 Seahawk helicopter.

Officials are currently trying to retrieve the jet.

The crash is under investigation.