Two US Navy aircraft were involved in separate incidents today during routine operations, as confirmed by officials. The US Navy’s Pacific fleet reported that both aircraft crashed on Sunday, October 26; the first incident occurred at 2:45 pm, followed by the second 30 minutes later at 3:15 pm. Details provided by the US Navy shed light on the events, although the exact cause of each crash remains unconfirmed.
On October 26, 2025, at around 2:45 pm local time, a U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 went down in the South China Sea while operating from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. Search and rescue units from Carrier Strike Group 11 successfully recovered all three crew members. Shortly after, at 3:15 pm, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter from the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 also crashed into the South China Sea during routine operations from the Nimitz. Both crew members ejected safely and were rescued by search and rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11.
All individuals involved in the incidents are safe and in stable condition. Investigations are ongoing to determine the causes of the crashes.
