U.S. Navy helicopter and fighter jet crash in South China Sea, crew safe

The U.S. Pacific Fleet said both crashes are under investigation.

Published: October 26, 2025 8:01pm

Updated: October 26, 2025 8:05pm

Two U.S. Navy aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz were involved in separate crashes over the South China Sea on Sunday.

All five crew members aboard the aircraft were rescued and are safe as the Navy launches an investigation into both incidents.

According to a statement from the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the first accident occurred around 2:54 p.m. local time when an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, went down while conducting standard flight operations from the Nimitz (CVN 68).

Search-and-rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11, which operates alongside the Nimitz, responded immediately and saved all three crew members from the water.

The Navy has not released additional details about the second crash, which involved an F/A-18 Super Hornet, but confirmed that both incidents occurred during unrelated missions and that all personnel involved are safe.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet said the circumstances surrounding the crashes are under investigation.