Two killed in fighter jet crash in California

LEMOORE, Calif. -- A fighter jet crashed into a field near a Central California air base on Wednesday, killing the two people on board, officials said.

Fresno County deputy coroner Sarah Davis confirmed the deaths but did not release other details.

Officials from the Naval Air Station in Lemoore said the F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft went down about noon in a field about half a mile from the base. Military officials said the two men killed were a pilot and a weapons system officer. Officials did not identify the men. Navy spokeswoman Melinda Larson said the crash was under investigation.

The crash happened about half a mile from where a crew for a farm labor contractor was planting tomatoes, and supervisor Jonathan Aguayo described a scene involving black smoke and debris.

"I heard a loud noise, I turned around and saw some smoke," Aguayo said. " When my dad and I drove up to take a closer look, we saw some debris in the field, smoldering. One large piece and a bunch of smaller pieces."

The Super Hornets are an advanced version of the single-seat F-18 Hornet, according to the Navy. The jets are used by the military for combat operations and also in the Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron, which performs aerial shows.