Sailor Injured When Hit By Landing Plane

An American fighter jet making a practice night landing on the USS Independence hit a sailor on deck, seriously injuring him, broadcast reports said Wednesday.

The FA-18 Hornet overshot the aircraft carrier’s deck, clipping the sailor as he tried to direct it, Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio and TV Channel 10 said. The sailor suffered broken arms and legs.

The sailor was airlifted to a Sydney hospital for treatment, the reports said. There was no other immediate information on his injuries and his name and hometown were not released.

The carrier was one of 23 U.S. ships taking part in joint training with Australian military forces. It left Sydney Harbor on Tuesday after a six-day stay.