US Navy Crash: Helicopter, fighter jet down in South China Sea, 5 rescued

A US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet crashed into the South China Sea 30 minutes apart in two separate mishaps on Sunday, as reported by the Pacific Fleet.

The first incident involved the downing of MH-60R Sea Hawk which was under the routine operations conducted by the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73.

According to the Pacific Fleet statement, all three crew members were rescued safely.

The separate incident, which occurred half an hour later, revolved around the crashing of a Navy F/A 18F Super Hornet fighter aircraft, when it was on the “routine operations” from the deck of Nimitz.

Both crew members in the fighter jet were saved after deploying search-and-rescue operations.

The US Navy has launched an investigation into these separate incidents over the strategic waters of South China Sea. However, the cause is unknown yet.

The unfortunate event came months after the Navy also lost two-carrier-borne fighter jets over the Red Sea.

South China Sea waters are a flashpoint among the global powers. The parts of the sea have been claimed by the various governments; however, China asserts ownership on all the strategic waterways and resources.