WASHINGTON; Two US Navy aircraft crashed into the South China Sea in separate incidents on Sunday, the Navy confirmed, adding that no lives were lost in either crash.
According to the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet, the first accident involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter that went down while performing routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. All three crew members aboard were safely rescued by search and rescue teams.
Roughly 30 minutes later, a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet also crashed into the same waters during regular flight operations from the same carrier. The Navy said both pilots ejected safely and were recovered in stable condition.
“All personnel involved are safe and receiving medical evaluations,” the Navy statement said, adding that investigations are underway to determine the causes of both incidents.
The twin crashes occurred as US President Donald Trump continues his first official visit to Asia during his second term, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to begin a regional tour.
Earlier this year, two other US Navy aircraft had also been lost while operating from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Middle East, raising fresh concerns over the Navy’s operational safety.
