Two Navy aircraft from USS Nimitz crash, crews safe

A U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet crashed into the South China Sea on Sunday, October 26, while operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, Navy officials said. Both incidents occurred within roughly 30 minutes of each other and search and rescue teams from the carrier strike group recovered all crew members without injuries.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet said the Seahawk, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, went down at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time while conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz. Search and rescue assets recovered three crew members. About 30 minutes later, at roughly 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 22 was reported down in the same area. Both of the jet’s crew members ejected and were recovered. The Pacific Fleet said all five personnel were safe and in stable condition.

"All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition," a Navy statement said. The Navy said the two mishaps were unrelated and that investigations are underway to determine the causes. Officials provided few immediate details about what led to the aircraft going into the water...