The two aircraft, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter, were conducting routine operations when they went down just 30 minutes apart.
Two US Navy aircraft crashed today in separate incidents while conducting routine operations, officials confirmed.
The official account of the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy explained that both aircraft crashed on Sunday, October 26, the first at 2:45 p.m. and the second just 30 minutes later, at 3:15 p.m.
In X, the US Navy explained in more detail exactly what happened, but the cause of each accident has not yet been confirmed.
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A spokesperson said: “On October 26, 2025, at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time, a U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, sank in the waters of the South China Sea while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
“Search and rescue resources assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11 safely recovered all three crew members. Following the incident, separately, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 also sank in the waters of the South China Sea while conducting operations routine since Nimitz. Both crew members were successfully ejected and were also safely recovered by search. and rescue assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11.
“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition. The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation.”
