Two US Navy aircraft experienced crashes during routine operations today, as confirmed by officials. The incidents occurred on Sunday, October 26, with the first aircraft going down at 2:45 pm followed by the second 30 minutes later at 3:15 pm, according to the official account of the US Navy’s Pacific fleet.
The US Navy provided detailed information on the crashes but has not yet determined the cause of each incident. A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 crashed in the South China Sea at 2:45 p.m. local time while operating from the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) aircraft carrier.
Shortly after, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter from the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 also went down in the South China Sea while conducting routine operations from the Nimitz. All crew members from both aircraft were safely recovered by search and rescue assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11, and they are reported to be safe and in stable condition.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the causes of the two incidents.