By: The Trek News Desk
Two separate accidents involving US Navy aircraft were reported within just thirty minutes over the South China Sea on Sunday.
An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, both operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, crashed during routine missions, the US Pacific Fleet confirmed.
Fortunately, all crew members were rescued safely by search-and-rescue teams.
Two Crashes in 30 Minutes – Navy Orders Investigation
According to an official statement, the first incident occurred at around 2:45 p.m. local time, when the Seahawk helicopter went down during standard flight operations.
All three crew members were promptly rescued by recovery teams.
Roughly half an hour later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet jet operating from the same carrier also crashed during a separate mission.
Both pilots managed to eject safely and were recovered without injury.
The Navy has launched a full-scale investigation into the causes of both incidents.
Trump Calls Incident “Unusual,” Cites Possible Fuel Issue
US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday during his flight from Malaysia to Japan, described the back-to-back crashes as “very unusual.”
“They think it might be bad fuel. We’re going to find out. Nothing to hide, sir.”
Trump said, adding that the matter was under investigation.
The twin crashes occurred as President Trump continues his diplomatic tour of Asia, a trip that includes a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.
Strategic Waters, Rising Tensions
The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most strategically sensitive and disputed regions, with China claiming nearly the entire waterway despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that rejected its claims.
Over the past two decades, Beijing has constructed artificial islands and military bases across contested areas, a move the United States and its allies view as a direct threat to freedom of navigation.
The US maintains a consistent naval presence in the region to counter Chinese influence and ensure the safety of international trade routes.
Diplomatic Backdrop: Trade Talks Ahead
The timing of the crashes adds to the tension, as Trump and Xi are expected to meet for high-stakes trade talks later this week.
Relations between Washington and Beijing have recently soured after a series of trade measures imposed by both sides.
However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that a “framework trade agreement” had been reached, easing tensions ahead of the leaders’ meeting.
USS Nimitz and Recent Naval Losses
Both aircraft involved in Sunday’s accidents were operating from the USS Nimitz, the US Navy’s oldest and one of its largest active aircraft carriers.
The vessel is slated for retirement next year after nearly five decades of service.
This year alone, the Navy has lost four F/A-18 jets –
- Two in the Red Sea, one due to a landing gear failure and another that slid off the carrier deck.
- A third crashed off the Virginia coast during a training mission in August.
Source: News Agencies
