Two separate accidents involving a US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet occurred on Sunday over the South China Sea, according to a statement issued by the US Pacific Fleet. All personnel involved were rescued and are reportedly in stable condition, while investigations are underway to determine the cause of both incidents.
The first accident involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, which was conducting what officials described as a “routine operation” from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The helicopter went down in the South China Sea under still-unknown circumstances. The three crew members on board were promptly recovered by search and rescue teams and are in stable condition.
Roughly thirty minutes later, a F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet — also operating from the USS Nimitz — crashed in the same area. The two pilots ejected safely before impact and were subsequently rescued by Navy personnel.
In an official statement, the US Pacific Fleet confirmed that “all personnel are safe and in stable condition,” emphasizing that both incidents are currently under investigation. The Navy has not yet provided details about possible mechanical failures or operational errors, though early assessments suggest the crashes were unrelated.
The loss of both a helicopter and a fighter jet in a single day represents a rare setback for US naval aviation and occurred at a politically sensitive time — while President Donald Trump is on an official tour of Asia, his first overseas trip since returning to the White House.
Earlier this year, two F/A-18 Super Hornets were lost in separate accidents aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea — one during a landing operation and another eight days later while maneuvering on deck. The Navy has since increased scrutiny of maintenance and flight safety protocols aboard its carrier fleet, particularly in forward-deployed regions such as the Indo-Pacific.
