A F-18 fighter crashed off the coast of Virginia on Wednesday and the pilot safely ejected from the aircraft, the US Navy said.

The crash occurred at about 2:30 pm (1930 GMT) about 45 miles (70 kilometers) from US naval air station Oceana, said spokesman Lieutenant Commander Ryan Perry.

The cause of the accident remained unclear, pending an investigation.

In April 7, 2012, an F-18 fighter out of the same base crashed shortly after take-off and slammed into an apartment building, causing major damage and injuring nine people but -- in what officials called a "miracle' -- no fatalities.