Two U.S. Navy aircraft — a Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet — crashed in separate incidents over the South China Sea on Sunday, October 26, 2025, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Both aircraft were operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and were conducting routine operations at the time of the accidents.
✈️ Timeline of the Incidents
- 2:45 PM local time: An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 went down during operations. All three crew members were safely rescued.
- 3:15 PM local time: Just 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 crashed. Both crew members ejected and were recovered in stable condition.
The Navy confirmed that all five personnel involved are safe and receiving medical evaluations.
🚢 Background and Deployment
Both aircraft were deployed aboard the USS Nimitz, which had recently returned from operations in the Middle East. The carrier had been part of the U.S. response to attacks on commercial shipping by Yemen’s Houthi rebels earlier this summer.
🌊 Regional Tensions and Response
China’s foreign ministry responded to the incidents by offering humanitarian assistance, while also criticizing the frequent U.S. military presence in the region. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that “the frequent deployment of U.S. warships and military aircraft to the South China Sea to flex military muscle is the root cause of maritime security issues.”
The cause of both crashes is currently under investigation.
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