( CNN ) -- The search continues for a missing Navy pilot in the western Pacific Ocean after two U.S. fighter jets collided on Thursday while operating at sea , a Navy official told CNN on Friday . The two F/A-18 Hornets were operating aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson , the Navy said . `` Initial reports indicate the two jets collided , '' the Navy official said . One pilot was rescued and is in fair condition while being treated aboard the aircraft carrier . A Navy cruiser , a destroyer and helicopters have been deployed in the search for the missing pilot , the Navy said . The cause of the crash is under investigation , the Navy said . The jets have not been recovered . The two jets crashed about 290 miles ( 470 kilometers ) west of Wake Island , Navy 7th Fleet spokeswoman Lt. Lauren Cole told CNN . Wake Island is more than 2,400 miles west of Hawaii . Both jets are from Carrier Air Wing 17 , the Navy said , assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 and Strike Fighter Squadron 113 . Pilot found dead after F-15 crash in Virginia . CNN 's Jamie Crawford contributed to this report .
NEW : Search continues for missing pilot ; one rescued pilot is in fair condition . Navy official says two F/A-18 Hornets collided in western Pacific . The cause of the crash is under investigation , Navy says .