Image copyright Reuters Image caption An investigation is underway into why the two F/A-18C Hornets crashed into the Pacific

The US Navy is continuing to search for a missing pilot, after two of its jets crashed into the western Pacific Ocean, a spokesman has said.

The F/A-18C Hornets were operating off the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson when they came down.

One pilot was rescued and is receiving medical attention aboard the ship. A search effort is underway to find the second, the navy said.

The two jets, which cost $57m (£35m) each, have not been recovered.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, the navy said in a statement.

The planes were flying routine operations in the US 7th Fleet's area of responsibility, which stretches west from the International Date Line to the India-Pakistan border.

The crash occurred about 290 miles (466 km) west of Wake Island, which is 2,300 miles (3,700km) west of Honolulu, a navy spokesman said.

The search for the second pilot is being conducted by the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley, and a number of helicopters.