Two US Navy aircraft, an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, crashed in separate incidents within 30 minutes of each other in the South China Sea on Sunday, raising numerous questions. The US Navy confirmed the crashes but did not disclose what the aircraft were doing in the geopolitically sensitive South China Sea at the time. However, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the aircraft crashed during a military exercise.
According to a Reuters report, China’s Foreign Ministry also said it would be willing to provide humanitarian assistance to the US following the crashes, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference on Monday.
The US Navy has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crashes
The incidents occurred while the USS Nimitz, one of the Navy’s oldest aircraft carriers and one of the world’s largest warships, was operating in the South China Sea. The area is known for regional disputes and geopolitical tensions.
According to the US Pacific Fleet, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from Maritime Strike Squadron 73, known as the “Battle Cats,” crashed at approximately 2:45 p.m. (local time) while conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz.
The helicopter had three crew members on board, all of whom were successfully rescued by search-and-rescue teams.
Approximately 30 minutes later, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 22, nicknamed the “Fighting Redcocks,” also crashed while conducting routine operations from the same carrier. Both crew members aboard the jet ejected and were rescued by the Carrier Strike Group 11’s search-and-rescue team. The Pacific Fleet stated that both crew members were in stable condition after being rescued, as reported in a statement posted on X and reported by CBS News. The USS Nimitz, one of the world’s largest warships and the oldest American aircraft carrier still in service, is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2026.
Why are there assets in the South China Sea?
The South China Sea is a highly sensitive geopolitical region where China claims territorial rights, although an international court has rejected Beijing’s claims to large parts of the area. Over the past two decades, China has strengthened its military presence in the sea, challenging the Americans’ efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in international waters.
According to CNN, the US Navy’s operations in the region are part of a larger strategy to counter China’s maritime expansion.
This incident comes at a time coinciding with US President Donald Trump’s visit to Malaysia, where he is expected to discuss trade and other matters with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to CNN, relations between the US and China have been strained recently, although a framework trade agreement announced by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday could ease tensions ahead of further negotiations.
This incident follows the damage to a Super Hornet jet in the Red Sea earlier in 2025.
What caused the US fighter jet and Navy helicopter crash?
The Navy has not yet recovered the wreckage, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding both incidents is underway.
There is speculation on social media about whether the incident was an accident or caused by an “external aggressor,” as some have suggested. The fact that these incidents occurred in the South China Sea has also raised questions about dramatic events, although no evidence has been presented to support such claims.
People have pointed to suspicious communication, including discrepancies in two documents within a 30-minute timeframe.
Political commentator Brian Cosenstein stated: “The probability of this happening is approximately 1 in 5, meaning it’s almost certainly not a coincidence. Pete Hegseth, we need answers!”
Other officials on X have also corroborated similar concerns, with some questioning which documentary equipment might belong to Associated Associates, although no official statement from the Navy or other authorities has confirmed such theories. Journalist Nuri Vittachi posted: “Both (aircraft) crashed into the sea in separate incidents just 30 minutes apart on Sunday…”
He also added, “The loss of equipment will cost millions of dollars, and perhaps the loss of prestige is even worse.”
The investigation will look into several aspects, including the aircraft’s documentation and details of the operational timeline.
The MH-60R Seahawk is a multirole fighter jet used for anti-submarine warfare, search and targeting, and other missions, while the F/A-18F Super Hornet is a multirole fighter jet designed for superior air performance and strike missions. Both aircraft are valuable, but the episodes involving their advanced systems represent a waste of resources and expertise.