The US Pacific Fleet announced that an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet and an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, belonging to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), went down in separate incidents in the South China Sea on Saturday, October 26, 2025.
The statement confirmed that all five crew members were successfully rescued, and that their health condition is stable.
Details of the two incidents
The first incident occurred at 2:45 p.m. local time, when a Sea Hawk helicopter belonging to Marine Aviation Squadron 73 went down during routine operations. The statement added: “Search and rescue teams from Carrier Carrier Group 11 were able to safely rescue all three crew members.”
About 30 minutes later, at 3:15 p.m., a Super Hornet fighter belonging to the Fighting Redcocks squadron fell during flight training from aboard the same carrier. The fleet stated that the two pilots were able to eject with their parachutes, and were also recovered by rescue teams of the same group.
Investigation underway and conditions stable
The US Navy confirmed that all personnel are in stable condition, noting that the causes of the two accidents are under investigation, and that emergency and safety teams from the carrier responded immediately after each fall. It also explained that the two accidents occurred during routine operations in international waters, without any additional damage or other injuries recorded.
About the aircraft carrier “Nimitz”
The USS Nimitz is the oldest active aircraft carrier in the US Navy, and entered service in 1975. It is powered by nuclear power via two Westinghouse A4W reactors, and has a speed of more than 30 knots. Its crew includes more than 5,000 personnel, and it has advanced defense systems such as Sea Sparrow and Phalanx CIWS. It is currently stationed within the battle group 11 stationed in the Indo-Pacific region.
Super Hornet fighter and Sea Hawk helicopter
The F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter is a two-seat multi-role aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, and reaches a speed of Mach 1.8, with a combat range of about 390 nautical miles. As for the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, it is intended for anti-submarine, surface warfare, and maritime surveillance missions, and reaches a speed of 180 knots with a range of 245 nautical miles.
The double accident is considered one of the rarest maritime air accidents that occur in a similar period of time, despite the strict safety procedures on board American carriers.
