{"id":25834,"date":"2026-01-20T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecoticias.com\/en\/?p=25834"},"modified":"2026-01-23T08:23:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T13:23:45","slug":"two-united-states-navy-aircraft-plunged-into-the-sea-within-just-30-minutes-off-an-aircraft-carrier-in-the-south-china-sea-setting-off-alarm-bells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecoticias.com\/en\/two-united-states-navy-aircraft-plunged-into-the-sea-within-just-30-minutes-off-an-aircraft-carrier-in-the-south-china-sea-setting-off-alarm-bells\/25834\/","title":{"rendered":"Two United States Navy aircraft plunged into the sea within just 30 minutes off an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, setting off alarm bells"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two U.S. Navy aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz<\/a> went down in the South China Sea<\/a> on Sunday, October 26, 2025, about 30 minutes apart. Everyone involved was rescued, and officials said all personnel were safe and in stable condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back to back incidents like this are rare, especially during what the Navy described as routine operations. Now investigators are working to figure out what happened, and the answers could shape safety decisions far beyond one ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happened in the air over the South China Sea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first incident involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter<\/a> that went down at about 2:45 p.m. local time. The Navy said all three crew members were safely recovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roughly half an hour later, an F\/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet<\/a> also went down in the same waters while operating from the carrier. Both aviators ejected and were recovered, with the Navy identifying the jet as assigned to the \u201cFighting Redcocks\u201d of Strike Fighter Squadron 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Read More: The Candida auris fungus is once again setting off alarms in hospitals across New York and New Jersey due to its drug resistance and the speed at which it can worsen the situation<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What these aircraft are built to do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The MH-60R is a Navy helicopter designed for missions like tracking submarines, spotting threats on the ocean surface<\/a>, and moving people or gear quickly between ships. In plain terms, it is the kind of aircraft that helps a carrier group see what is happening around it, even when the horizon looks empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F\/A-18F Super Hornet is a two seat fighter jet used for air defense and strike missions, and it is a workhorse on carrier flight decks. If a carrier is like a floating airport, these jets are the fast movers that have to launch and land with very little room for error. One small problem can turn into a big one fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n