U.S. Navy Loses Fighter Jet and Helicopter in South China Sea – All Crew Members Rescued

In a rare double aviation incident, a U.S. Navy fighter jet and a helicopter were lost within a short span of time during operations in the South China Sea, the Navy confirmed on Monday. Both aircraft were operating from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) when the accidents occurred – yet, miraculously, all five crew members survived.

According to preliminary reports, the first mishap involved an F/A-18F Super Hornet, which encountered an in-flight emergency shortly after takeoff. The two pilots successfully ejected and were quickly recovered by a nearby search-and-rescue team.

Barely thirty minutes later, a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the same carrier also went down during a routine operation. The helicopter’s three-member crew was rescued without major injuries. Navy officials described the crew as being in stable condition and receiving medical evaluation aboard the carrier.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet has launched a detailed investigation to determine what led to the near-simultaneous incidents. While the Navy has not released technical details, initial findings suggest that both accidents occurred during routine flight operations, with no sign of hostile activity or collision between the two aircraft.

The USS Nimitz, one of the oldest active carriers in the U.S. Navy, has been deployed across the Indo-Pacific for several months, supporting freedom-of-navigation operations and regional deterrence missions. The dual crash comes at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where U.S. warships and aircraft routinely operate near disputed maritime zones.

Military analysts say such back-to-back losses are uncommon and could raise questions about aircraft maintenance cycles and operational tempo aboard deployed carriers. However, the Navy emphasized that its focus remains on crew safety and recovery operations, noting that no injuries were life-threatening.

Wreckage recovery and damage assessment operations are currently underway, and officials have confirmed that the carrier’s flight operations have resumed under enhanced safety protocols. The Navy stated that further information will be shared once the formal inquiry concludes.

The incident underscores the risks of naval aviation, where complex flight operations occur daily on moving decks in challenging weather and high-tension regions. Despite the setbacks, U.S. Navy officials praised the quick response of search-and-rescue teams that ensured no loss of life.