US Pacific Fleet reported two US Navy aircraft crashed into the South China Sea on Sunday in separate incidents just 30 minutes apart.
All five crew members survived and are in stable condition, according to the Navy. Both aircraft were flying routine missions from the USS Nimitz.
The first crash involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter at about 2:45 p.m. local time.
A Sea Hawk is a Navy workhorse helicopter used for search and rescue missions, scouting, and carrying supplies between ships.
All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition
All three crew were located quickly by rescue teams and brought aboard safely.
Roughly 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet also went down.
This is a two seat combat jet that can take off and land on a ship. The two aviators ejected, that means they pulled a handle that blasts their seats out of the aircraft so they can parachute to safety.
US President Donald Trump, who is travelling in Asia, called the back to back crashes “very unusual” and suggested “bad fuel” could be a reason.
Both were recovered from the water soon after.
Both aircraft were operating from the USS Nimitz, an aircraft carrier from US.
The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation
The Navy said the causes of the crashes are under investigation. Investigators typically examine fuel samples, maintenance logs, weather, and flight data to understand about the incident.
Why this location matters: The South China Sea is a busy and important waterway for countries located at its rim. Several countries claim parts of it to secure trade and shipping routes from enemy states.
When the Navy says “routine operations,” from its aircraft carrier, it means training flights and patrols that keep crews sharp and show a regular presence in the region.
What “decommissioning” means: the USS Nimitz is on its final deployments before retirement from active service.
Decommissioning means the ship will leave frontline duty after decades at sea and the crew and aircraft will transfer elsewhere.
Earlier this year, the Navy reported other mishaps during carrier flight operations, a reminder that flying from ships is demanding even in peacetime.
