Washington, 27th October 2025
Two US Naval aircraft — a helicopter and a fighter jet — crashed within half an hour of each other during separate routine operations over the South China Sea, with all crew members safely rescued, according to the US Pacific Fleet.
The Navy has opened an investigation into the cause of both accidents, which occurred on Sunday over one of the world's most strategically sensitive waterways — an area often seen as a potential flashpoint between global powers, as per the US Navy.
The South China Sea - bordered by China and several Southeast Asian nations – has become a hotbed of diplomatic tensions, as Beijing has arbitrarily announced its claims to over 95% of the waterway, and defying international rulings which rejected its claims.
China has been further strengthening its grip on the waterway by constructing artificial military islands in the contested region, further increasing its tensions with the US.
Washington, which maintains a regular naval presence in the area, has repeatedly stressed the importance of the freedom of navigation and supporting regional allies in the face of Beijing's territorial assertions, as per US media.
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, described the consecutive crashes as "very unusual."
Enroute from Malaysia to Japan on Monday, Trump suggested that it was likely a case of fuel contamination, denying any deliberate case of sabotage.
"They think it might be bad fuel. We're going to find out. Nothing to hide, sir," Trump said.
The Navy said that an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter went down at around 2:45 p.m. local time while carrying out routine operations from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. All three crew members were rescued by search and rescue teams.
About 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet also crashed during operations from the same carrier. Both pilots ejected safely and were recovered by rescue crews.
The incident marks at least the fourth Super Hornet crash this year, with each aircraft valued at roughly $60 million.
Earlier in the year, two of the fighter jets were lost in the Red Sea — one after sliding off a carrier deck and another due to a landing malfunction — while a separate crash occurred off Virginia during a training mission in August.
The crashes coincided with President Trump's diplomatic tour of Asia, ahead of his scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week.
The talks are expected to centre on trade and regional security, following months of friction that saw both sides impose sweeping measures against one another.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that Washington and Beijing had reached a framework trade agreement, signalling a possible easing of tensions before the Trump–Xi meeting.
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