In a rapid sequence of events, a US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet crashed within half an hour of each other in the South China Sea on Sunday, but all five crew members were safely rescued. The incidents occurred during routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, prompting an immediate investigation by the Navy.
The first crash involved an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which went down at approximately 2:45 PM local time. The helicopter was assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, known as the ‘Battle Cats,’ and was conducting standard operations when it fell into the waters. Search-and-rescue teams from the Nimitz strike group quickly located and rescued the three crew members aboard the helicopter, all of whom were reported to be in stable condition.
About 30 minutes later, at 3:15 PM, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet from Strike Fighter Squadron 22, the ‘Fighting Redcocks,’ also crashed in the same area. Both crew members successfully ejected from the aircraft and were recovered safely by rescue assets. The close timing of the two incidents raised immediate questions, though the Navy emphasized that they were separate and unrelated at this stage.
The US Pacific Fleet issued statements confirming the safety of all personnel and announcing that investigations are underway to determine the causes of both crashes. Initial reports suggest that the crashes were not due to hostile action, as the operations were described as routine. The Navy has not released further details on potential factors, but the proximity in time and location has led to speculation about possible common issues.
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters while traveling in Asia, called the back-to-back crashes ‘very unusual’ and hinted at a potential fuel problem. ‘They think it might be bad fuel. We’re gonna find out. Nothing to hide,’ Trump said, underscoring the administration’s commitment to transparency. His comments came as he prepared for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, adding a diplomatic dimension to the incidents.
The South China Sea is a critical maritime region where territorial disputes have long simmered. China claims nearly the entire waterway, despite a 2016 international court ruling against its claims, and has built military installations on artificial islands. The US regularly conducts freedom of navigation operations to challenge these claims and support allies like the Philippines and Vietnam, making the area a potential flashpoint for conflict.
These crashes occur against a backdrop of strained US-China relations, which had recently seen trade tensions escalate before a framework agreement was announced. The USS Nimitz, one of the oldest active aircraft carriers set to retire next year, was operating in the region as part of ongoing US military presence. The loss of the F/A-18 is at least the fourth such incident this year, following crashes in the Red Sea and off Virginia, raising concerns about the aging fleet’s reliability.
As the investigations proceed, the Navy will examine maintenance records, fuel quality, and operational procedures. The outcomes could influence future deployments and safety protocols, especially in contested regions like the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the safe recovery of all crew members is a relief, but the incidents highlight the risks of military operations in geopolitically sensitive areas.