US Navy Fighter Jets Crash Pilot Missing Pacific Ocean F/A-18C
A US Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter jet MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images

US navy vessels and helicopters are searching for a pilot missing at sea after two fighter jets crashed over the Pacific Ocean.

The navy said two of its F/A-18 Hornet jets crashed into the western Pacific Ocean while operating at sea at 5.40pm local time.

One of the pilots has been rescued and returned to aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, where the two jets were embarked.

"One pilot was rapidly located and returned to Carl Vinson and is currently receiving medical attention," the navy said in a statement. "Search efforts continue for the second pilot."

Helicopters from two different squadrons, guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley, are taking part in the search-and-rescue effort.

The two jets were from the Carrier Air Wing 17, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California's San Joaquin Valley.

The aircrafts, which cost $57m (£35m) each, according to the BBC, have not been recovered.

"The cause of the incident is under investigation," the navy said.