US Navy identifies possible cause of two separate crashes in South China Sea, Trump says
In a recent statement aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump addressed the two separate crashes involving U.S. Navy aircraft in the South China Sea, emphasizing that there is no suspicion of foul play. The incidents occurred during routine operations from the USS Nimitz, a historic aircraft carrier that has served the Navy for five decades and is nearing its retirement. Trump mentioned that preliminary reports suggested faulty fuel might be a contributing factor, although he noted that the investigation is still ongoing and that he expects to receive more detailed information soon.
On Sunday, the first incident involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, which crashed while conducting operations from the USS Nimitz. Fortunately, all three crew members aboard the helicopter were rescued by the swift response of search-and-rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11, and they are reported to be in stable condition. Approximately half an hour later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the same carrier went down during flight operations. The two aviators managed to eject safely before the aircraft hit the water, and they were also recovered and returned to the Nimitz, where they are reported to be stable. The U.S. Pacific Fleet confirmed these details, highlighting the effectiveness of the Navy’s recovery efforts in both incidents.
The USS Nimitz, which has been a cornerstone of U.S. naval operations for 50 years, is currently on its final tour before decommissioning. As the Navy investigates the causes of these crashes, the incidents underscore the inherent risks involved in military aviation, even during routine missions. The swift actions of the recovery teams demonstrate the Navy’s preparedness and commitment to the safety of its personnel, ensuring that all crew members were accounted for and received immediate medical attention. As investigations continue, further insights into the causes of these crashes will be crucial for enhancing safety protocols and operational procedures in the future.
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President
Donald Trump
says the U.S. does not suspect foul play in the two separate crashes of U.S. Navy aircraft in the South China Sea this weekend.
Trump made the statement during a gaggle with reporters aboard Air Force One, saying he expected to get answers regarding the crashes soon. One possibility he’d been given was that the planes had faulty fuel, the president said.
“You’ve been briefed on the incident, on the Nimitz, both a fighter jet and a helicopter?” a reporter asked.
“I’ve heard about it, yeah,” Trump responded.
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“Do you know what happened there? What was that?” the reporter asked.
“They’re going to let me know pretty soon. I think they should be able to find out. It could be
bad fuel
. I mean, it’s possible it’s bad fuel. Very unusual that that would happen,” Trump said.
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“You don’t think it was foul play or anything?” the reporter pressed.
“No, I don’t,” Trump replied. “They think it might be bad fuel.”
Two U.S.
Navy aircraft
from USS Nimitz — a Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet — crashed during separate “routine operations” over the South China Sea on Sunday. All five crew members aboard the two craft were rescued and remain in stable condition, according to the Navy.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet — the Navy’s largest operational command — said in a post on X that around 2:54 p.m. local time, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 crashed in the South China Sea while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
Search-and-rescue teams from
Carrier Strike Group 11
, operating alongside the Nimitz, quickly launched recovery efforts and safely pulled all three helicopter crew members from the water.
Roughly 30 minutes after the helicopter incident, an
F/A-18F Super Hornet
from the Nimitz, assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron 22, also went down in the South China Sea during flight operations.
Search-and-rescue teams again responded swiftly, recovering the jet’s two crew members, who had successfully ejected before the aircraft hit the water. Both aviators were transported back to the Nimitz and are reported to be in stable condition.
USS Nimitz has been commissioned in the U.S. Navy for 50 years, and its current tour is set to be its last before being retired.
Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
