US Navy Helicopter And Fighter Jet Crash In South China Sea; Trump Cites Possible Fuel Issue

Two US Navy aircraft — an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet — crashed within half an hour of each other on Sunday (October 26, 2025) during separate routine operations over the South China Sea.

Fortunately, all crew members were safely rescued, according to the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet.

The Navy has launched an investigation into the back-to-back incidents, which occurred over one of the world’s most strategically contested waterways.

The South China Sea remains a critical flashpoint for tensions between China, the United States, and several Southeast Asian nations.

Why has Trump called the crashes “Very Unusual”?

Speaking aboard Air Force One while en route from Malaysia to Japan on Monday (October 27, 2025), US President Donald Trump described the dual crashes as “very unusual,” suggesting that investigators were examining the possibility of contaminated fuel.

“They think it might be bad fuel. We’re gonna find out. Nothing to hide, sir,” Trump told reporters, emphasising transparency in the ongoing investigation.

What are the details of the accidents?

According to the US Navy, the MH-60R Seahawk went down around 2:45 p.m. local time while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Search and rescue teams quickly located and recovered all three crew members.

Roughly 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet also crashed during separate flight operations from the same carrier. Both aviators safely ejected and were rescued.

The Navy confirmed that the aircraft carrier and rescue forces are secure and continuing normal operations. The F/A-18F marks the fourth loss of the $60 million jet this year, following previous incidents in the Red Sea and off the coast of Virginia during training exercises.

What is the strategic backdrop of the South China Sea?

The crashes come amid renewed geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, a vital maritime corridor through which trillions of dollars in global trade pass annually.

China claims nearly the entire waterway, despite an international court ruling rejecting its expansive territorial assertions. Over the past two decades, Beijing has built military outposts and airstrips on several contested reefs, drawing protests from neighbouring countries and the United States.

Washington maintains a steady military presence in the region, conducting regular “freedom of navigation” operations to challenge China’s claims and reassure allies such as the Philippines and Vietnam.

Why do the crashes gain geopolitical significance?

The incidents also coincided with President Trump’s ongoing diplomatic tour of Asia. He is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week, with trade and regional stability high on the agenda.

Despite recent tensions, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday (October 26) that both nations had reached a “framework trade agreement,” easing friction ahead of the leaders’ meeting.

The USS Nimitz, one of the world’s largest and oldest active aircraft carriers, is slated for retirement next year after nearly five decades of service.