US Jet and Helicopter Crash in South China Sea: What Was the USS Nimitz Doing in International Waters?

In a startling double incident that has amplified scrutiny on US military operations in contested waters, two US Navy aircraft—a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet—crashed into the South China Sea within 30 minutes of each other on October 26, 2025. Both mishaps occurred during "routine operations" from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, with all five crew members safely rescued and reported in stable condition. The events, unfolding amid ongoing US-China tensions over the strategic waterway, have sparked questions about the Nimitz's presence: Why was the carrier—and its air wing—conducting flights in this flashpoint region? As investigations begin, here's a breakdown of the crashes, the mission, and the broader geopolitical stakes.

The South China Sea, a vital artery for global trade carrying $3.4 trillion annually, remains a hotspot where Beijing claims nearly 90% of the area despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling against it. The US maintains its aircraft carriers operate in international waters to uphold freedom of navigation, a principle challenged by recent Chinese intercepts of US and allied planes. No foul play has been suggested in these crashes, but the timing—coinciding with heightened regional patrols—has fueled online speculation.

Timeline of the Incidents: A 30-Minute Double Crash

The sequence unfolded rapidly on Sunday afternoon local time (around 2:45 p.m.), as the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group conducted standard flight exercises in the open waters of the South China Sea.

• 2:45 p.m.: An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, nicknamed the "Battle Cats," crashed during takeoff or in-flight maneuvers from the Nimitz's deck. The multi-mission chopper, used for anti-submarine warfare, search-and-rescue, and surface strikes, carried three crew members who were swiftly recovered by onboard search teams.
• 3:15 p.m.: Just 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the "Fighting Redcocks," plunged into the sea during similar routine ops. The twin-engine fighter, a staple for air superiority and strike missions, saw its two pilots eject safely before impact, with recovery efforts praised for their speed.

The US Pacific Fleet emphasized these were "separate incidents" under investigation, with no injuries reported. This marks at least the fourth F/A-18 lost by the Navy in 2025, following earlier mishaps in the Red Sea and off Virginia.

The Crashed Aircraft

F/A-18F Super Hornet

MH-60R Seahawk

What Was the USS Nimitz Doing There? Routine Ops in a Tense Theater

The USS Nimitz (CVN-68), a Nimitz-class supercarrier on its final deployment before decommissioning, entered the South China Sea on October 10, 2025, after transiting from the Middle East. As part of Carrier Strike Group 11, the vessel—home to over 5,000 sailors and Carrier Air Wing 12—was engaged in freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs), a core US Indo-Pacific strategy to challenge excessive Chinese maritime claims.

These "routine operations" typically include:

• Flight training and quals: Carrier quals for pilots honing takeoffs/landings in open seas.
• Maritime patrols: Monitoring shipping lanes and countering submarine threats, amid China's militarization of artificial islands.
• Allied deterrence: Coordinating with partners like Australia and Japan, especially after recent Chinese "unsafe" intercepts of US planes.

The Nimitz's presence underscores US commitments under the Quad and AUKUS pacts, projecting power without entering territorial waters (12 nautical miles from baselines). Beijing, which views such transits as provocative, offered "humanitarian aid" post-crash—a rare gesture amid frosty ties. US officials declined, citing swift internal recovery.

Tensions, Recent Mishaps, and Implications

These crashes arrive amid escalating US-China friction: Last week, a Chinese J-11 fighter released flares near an Australian patrol plane, echoing similar US incidents. The South China Sea sees frequent US FONOPs—over 20 in 2025 alone—to affirm the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They also highlight Navy aviation woes: Four F/A-18s lost this year, including two from USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea amid Houthi strikes.