Link to Back-to-back crashes involving aircraft from the USS Nimitz spark investigation. Trump, en route to Asia, calls incidents “very unusual” and suggests possible fuel issueBack-to-back crashes involving aircraft from the USS Nimitz spark investigation. Trump, en route to Asia, calls incidents “very unusual” and suggests possible fuel issue
Two U.S. Navy aircraft crashed within 30 minutes of each other on Sunday while conducting routine operations over the disputed waters of the South China Sea, according to a statement from the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Both aircraft were operating from the USS Nimitz, one of the U.S. Navy’s largest and most iconic aircraft carriers, which was en route to its home port in Washington state after a months-long deployment in the Middle East. All five crew members involved in the incidents were safely rescued, and no injuries have been reported.
At approximately 2:45 pm local time, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (“Battle Cats”) went down in the sea. Just 30 minutes later, at 3:15 pm, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet from Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (“Fighting Redcocks”) also crashed. Both incidents occurred during standard flight operations.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during his flight from Malaysia to Japan, President Donald Trump called the back-to-back crashes “very unusual” and suggested that bad fuel may have played a role. “We’re going to find out. Nothing to hide,” he said.
China Offers Assistance, Criticism
China’s foreign ministry responded on Monday by offering potential humanitarian assistance in rescue or recovery efforts, should the U.S. request it. However, spokesperson Guo Jiakun also criticized U.S. military activity in the region, accusing Washington of provoking tension with frequent shows of force in contested waters.
“These operations heighten the risk to maritime safety and undermine peace in the region,” Guo said.
Investigation Underway
The U.S. Pacific Fleet confirmed that all personnel are in stable condition, and a formal investigation has been launched into the cause of both crashes. While no official conclusion has been drawn, naval experts say that simultaneous incidents of this nature are rare and likely to prompt a thorough review of aircraft maintenance, fuel supplies, and operational protocols.
The Nimitz, commissioned in 1975, is the oldest active aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy and is expected to be decommissioned in 2026. Known for its massive scale—spanning nearly 1,100 feet—the ship is powered by nuclear reactors capable of operating for 20 years without refueling.
A Dramatic Chapter in the Carrier’s Final Voyage
The incidents mark an unexpected turn in what was to be the Nimitz’s final deployment. The carrier had recently returned from a mission supporting U.S. responses to Houthi rebel attacks on commercial shipping in the Middle East.
President Trump’s Asia tour continues this week, with meetings scheduled with several regional leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. The dual crash incidents are expected to shadow diplomatic discussions, especially amid heightened sensitivities over military activities in the South China Sea — a region China claims in full, despite competing territorial claims from other nations.
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati