Two crashes in 30 minutes: US loses fighter jet, navy chopper in South China Sea

Two US Navy aircraft, an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, crashed in separate incidents in the South China Sea on Sunday, within a span of 30 minutes, raising several questions. The US Navy has acknowledged the crashes but has not disclosed what the aircraft were doing in the geopolitically sensitive South China Sea at the time. However, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said the aircraft crashed during a military exercise.

China's foreign ministry also said it would be willing to provide humanitarian assistance to the US following the crashes, spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press conference on Monday, reported Reuters.

The US Navy has launched investigations to determine the causes of the crashes.

The incident occurred as the USS Nimitz, one of the Navy's oldest aircraft carriers, and also the world's largest warship, operated in the South China Sea. The region is marked by territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions.

According to the US Pacific Fleet, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, known as the "Battle Cats", went down around 2.45 pm (local time) while conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz.

Three crew members were aboard the helicopter, and all were successfully rescued by search-and-rescue teams.

Approximately 30 minutes later, at 3.15 pm, an F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 22, nicknamed the "Fighting Redcocks", also crashed during routine operations from the same carrier. The two crew members aboard the jet ejected and were recovered by search-and-rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11. The Pacific Fleet reported that all crew members from both incidents were in stable condition following their rescue, as noted in a statement posted on X and reported by CBS News.

The USS Nimitz, one of the largest warships in the world and the oldest US aircraft carrier still in service, is set to be retired in 2026.

WHY THE CRASHES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA ARE SUSPICIOUS

The South China Sea is an extremely sensitive geopolitical region where China asserts territorial claims, despite an international court ruling rejecting Beijing's ownership over much of the region. Over the last two decades, China has bolstered its claims by constructing military installations across the sea, challenging the US' efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in these international waters.

The US Navy's operations in the region are part of a broader strategy to counter China's maritime expansion, said CNN.

The crashes come at a sensitive time, coinciding with US President Donald Trump's ASEAN visit to Malaysia, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade and other issues.

Relations between the US and China have been strained recently, though a framework trade agreement announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday might ease tensions ahead of the talks, according to CNN.

The incident also follows the loss of a Super Hornet jet in the Red Sea earlier in 2025.

WHAT CAUSED US FIGHTER JET, NAVY CHOPPER CRASHES

The Navy has not yet determined the causes of the crashes, and investigations are underway to examine the circumstances surrounding both incidents.

The close timing of the two crashes has sparked speculation about whether they were coincidental or due to "external factors", as many have said on social media.

The fact that these incidents happened in the South China Sea has also prompted questions about potential foul play, though no evidence has been presented to support such claims.

People expressed suspicion, including of foul play, in the two crashes in a span of 30 minutes.

Brian Krassenstein, a political commentator said: "The odds of this happening are about 1:5 billion, meaning that this almost certainly is NOT a coincidence. Pete Hegseth, we need answers!"

Other users on X echoed similar sentiments, with some questioning whether the crashes could be related to equipment issues, though no official statements from the Navy or other authorities have confirmed such theories.

Journalist Nury Vittachi posted: "Both (aircraft) tumbled into the ocean in separate accidents just 30 minutes apart on Sunday mid-afternoon..."

He also added, "The loss of equipment will run into hundreds of millions of dollars, and the loss of reputation is arguably even worse."

Each F/A-18 Super Hornet cost over $60 million.

The Navy's investigations will likely focus on several factors, including the condition of the aircraft, and the operational environment at the time of the crashes.

The MH-60R Seahawk is a versatile helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and other missions, while the F/A-18F Super Hornet is a multirole fighter jet designed for air superiority and strike missions. Both aircraft are considered reliable, but their advanced systems require rigorous maintenance and oversight.

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