Two US Navy aircraft crashed 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 and the second 30 minutes later at 3:15 pm, according to the US Navy’s Pacific fleet.
The US Navy provided further details on the crashes, but the exact causes are yet to be determined. A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 went down in the South China Sea while operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
All three crew members from the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and both crew members from the F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter were safely recovered by search and rescue assets from Carrier Strike Group 11. Fortunately, all personnel involved are safe and in stable condition, and investigations into the incidents are ongoing.