Civilian pilot ejects after takeoff from Cherry Point

CHERRY POINT, N.C. (WITN) - A civilian pilot had to eject from his jet this afternoon as it was taking off from Cherry Point.

The Marine Corps says a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was taking off around 2:00 p.m. when the accident happened.

The pilot, who works for Draken International, which has an office at the Global TransPark in Kinston, was airlifted to a hospital, according to the air station.

The Marine Corps did not have details on the extent of injuries to the pilot or the damage to the plane. They did say nothing on the ground was damaged.

The plane, which is a single-seat subsonic jet, was at the air station “in support of a scheduled training event,” a news release said.

According to its website, Draken is a provider of tactical aircraft for contract air services, including military and defense customers.

Marines say the cause of the crash is under investigation.