Liputan6.com, Jakarta Two United States Navy aircraft crashed separately in the South China Sea on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
The incidents involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet.
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Both aircraft were operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which was on a routine cruise.
The first crash occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time, followed by the second approximately 30 minutes later, at 3:15 p.m.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet has confirmed that all five personnel involved in both US Navy aircraft crashes in the South China Sea are safe.
Here's the recap of the incident for you.
How the Incidents Happened
The first accident involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Attack Squadron 73 "Battle Cats."
The helicopter crashed into the sea while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
The three crew members on board were immediately rescued.
Shortly afterward, approximately 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet suffered a similar fate.
The fighter jet from Fighter Attack Squadron 22 "Fighting Redcocks" also crashed into the South China Sea while conducting routine operations.
These two incidents happened within a very short time span.
The Navy said on social media that a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter went down around 2:45 p.m. local time “while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.”
Search-and-rescue crews rescued three crew members, the Navy said.
Crews' Condition, Cause, and Investigation
A search and rescue team from the USS Nimitz carrier strike group moved quickly to evacuate the crew.
The three crew members of the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter were successfully rescued from the waters of the South China Sea.
The rescue effort was smooth and efficient.Similarly, the two pilots of the F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet successfully ejected from their aircraft before it crashed.
All five personnel involved in the US Navy aircraft crash in the South China Sea are reported to be safe and in stable condition.
The exact cause of both US Navy aircraft crashes in the South China Sea is still under investigation.
The US Pacific Fleet has confirmed that the crashes were not caused by enemy activity or external aggression.
US President Donald Trump, who was en route to Tokyo at the time, speculated that the incidents may have been caused by "bad fuel" and dismissed the possibility of sabotage.
“They think it might be bad fuel. We’re gonna find out. Nothing to hide, sir,” Trump said in response to a question.
About the 'USS Nimitz Operations'
The two aircraft involved in the accident were operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, the oldest aircraft carrier in the US Navy fleet.
The ship was returning to its homeport at Naval Base Kitsap, Washington, after a lengthy deployment in the Middle East.
This was the USS Nimitz's final deployment before being decommissioned.
The US Navy aircraft crash in the South China Sea happened as US President Donald Trump was making his first visit to Asia in his second term.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was also preparing to embark on a multi-nation tour of Asia during the same period.