The US Pacific Fleet has confirmed the safe rescue of all personnel after an MH-60R Sea Hawk and an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea just 30 minutes apart.
Five personnel, three aboard an MH-60R Sea Hawk and two on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, were safely recovered by the carrier group’s search and rescue assets, and official statements say they are in stable condition.
At this early stage, only limited details are available about these two incidents. The MH-60R Sea Hawk, operated by Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM-73), first fell into the South China Sea at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time. At the time of the incident, the helicopter was conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), which currently leads Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG 11).
At around 3:15 pm local time, just half an hour later, the F/A-18F Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (VFA-22) crashed into the sea after both pilots ejected from the plane. The circumstances that led the crew to make the decision to eject have not been confirmed.
The Nimitz, the oldest aircraft carrier in the US Navy fleet, is nearing the end of what is expected to be its final operational deployment. The Nimitz, which departed the United States in March 2025 for a routine deployment to the Indo-Pacific, has spent some time within the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility, making a port call in Bahrain in August. The aircraft carrier has since returned to the Pacific, crossing waters contested by the People’s Republic of China.
While the survival of all crew members is good news for everyone involved, the loss of these two aircraft in close succession is a worrying story for US naval aviation after a difficult time that has seen several high-profile incidents. Investigations will begin immediately into the causes of both accidents.
The official announcement was made through US Pacific Fleet Social Media Channelswhich are currently receiving limited updates due to the US government shutdown.
