Two US Navy Aircraft crash over South China Sea

Two United States Navy aircraft were involved in separate crashes over the South China Sea on Sunday, military officials confirmed, with all crew members surviving both incidents.

The first crash involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter that went down during routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, according to a statement by the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Rescue teams quickly responded and successfully recovered all three crew members on board without any casualties.

About thirty minutes later, a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet also crashed into the South China Sea while conducting routine operations from the same carrier. The Navy said both crew members safely ejected from the aircraft and were promptly rescued.

“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition,” the US Navy confirmed, adding that investigations into the causes of both crashes are underway.

The incidents occurred as US President Donald Trump continues his first Asian tour since beginning his second term, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is preparing for a multi-nation visit across Asia.

Earlier this year, two US warplanes also fell off the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman while operating in the Middle East, raising renewed safety concerns within the Navy’s air operations.