Navy Loses Two Aircraft in South China Sea Crashes, Crews Safe

Published

5 hours ago

27 October, 2025

editorial

BREAKING: Two aircraft from the USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea within a startling 30 minutes on Sunday, with all crew members reported safe. The Navy’s Pacific Fleet confirmed that the incidents involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, prompting immediate rescue operations.

The crashes occurred during a routine operation. The three crew members of the helicopter were rescued successfully, while the two aviators of the fighter jet ejected and were also recovered unharmed, with all five personnel in stable condition, according to a statement from the fleet.

The exact causes of these incidents are currently under investigation. While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, President Donald Trump speculated that “bad fuel” might have contributed to the mishaps, dismissing the possibility of foul play.

The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is on its final deployment before transitioning to decommissioning, returning to its home port at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington state after serving in the Middle East over the summer. This deployment was part of the U.S. response to increasing tensions following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial shipping.

This incident adds to a series of recent mishaps involving U.S. aircraft carriers. The USS Harry S. Truman faced multiple issues during its deployment in the Middle East, including an incident where the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down an F/A-18 jet. Furthermore, April saw another F/A-18 slip off the Truman’s hangar deck, and a fighter jet went overboard in May due to landing gear failure.

Importantly, no sailors were killed in these incidents, yet the investigation results into these events remain pending.

The Navy’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its personnel is paramount, and further updates are expected as the investigation into the recent crashes unfolds.

Stay tuned for more developments on this urgent story as details emerge.