URGENT UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, two aircraft from the USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea within just 30 minutes of each other on Sunday afternoon. The Navy’s Pacific Fleet confirmed that the incidents involved an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter.
All five crew members aboard the aircraft were rescued and are currently reported as “safe and in stable condition.” This incident raises immediate safety concerns just as the USS Nimitz completes its final deployment before decommissioning.
The crashes occurred during a critical period as the USS Nimitz, which left San Diego Bay on August 19, 2023, returns to its home port at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington state. The carrier had been deployed to the Middle East in response to ongoing attacks on commercial shipping by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo, suggested that the crashes could be attributed to “bad fuel,” while firmly ruling out any foul play. He emphasized that there was “nothing to hide” regarding the incidents.
The Navy has launched an investigation to determine the causes of these crashes, which adds to a troubling trend of mishaps involving U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. Just recently, another carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman, experienced several incidents during its deployment, including an F/A-18 jet being mistakenly shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg and another slipping off the hangar deck.
Despite these alarming occurrences, there were no fatalities reported in any of these incidents, and investigations are ongoing. The Navy’s prompt response to rescue the crew emphasizes their commitment to ensuring the safety of personnel aboard their vessels.
As details emerge from this urgent situation, all eyes will be on the ongoing investigations and what they reveal about the safety protocols in place for naval operations. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
