US Navy Helicopter and Fighter Jet Crash in South China Sea

The US Pacific Fleet announced that a helicopter and a fighter jet crashed during separate routine operations over the South China Sea, adding that all crew members were rescued safely.

According to the CNN, the US Navy has launched an investigation into the cause of both incidents, which occurred over what it described as strategic waters.

The Navy said that a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter went down while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Search and rescue teams saved the three crew members.

It added that about 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter crashed while carrying out routine operations from the Nimitz base.

The Navy noted that the two crew members ejected and were safely recovered.

The US Navy had previously lost two other F/A-18 aircraft in the Red Sea last spring after one fell into the sea from an aircraft carrier, while the other apparently suffered a landing gear malfunction. 

QNA/RSS