An F/A-18E of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departed the runway and the pilot ejected during an emergency landing at Bahrain International Airport, Aug. 12, 2017.

During a flight from the Nimitz, an F/A-18E experienced an engine malfunction and attempted to divert to Sheik Isa Air Base, Bahrain. Unable to make it to Isa, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing at Bahrain International Airport. Due to the malfunction, the aircraft could not be stopped on the runway and the pilot ejected from the aircraft as it departed the runway.

The pilot is uninjured and the incident is under investigation. The Navy is supporting efforts to re-open the runway so the airport may resume normal operations.