U.S. Navy and fighter jet crash in separate incidents into South China Sea

Special: South China Sea

(ECNS) -- A U.S. Navy helicopter and a fighter jet went down in the South China Sea while taking off during separate operations on Sunday afternoon, U.S. news outlets reported on Monday, citing the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet.

Around 2:45 p.m. local time, an MH-60R "Seahawk" helicopter belonging to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 crashed while taking off from U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz for a mission. Half an hour later, an F/A-18F "Super Hornet" fighter jet from Strike Fighter Squadron 22 also crashed into the sea when attempting to take off from the Nimitz.

All the crew members during the two incidents were rescued.

The U.S. military said the causes of the two crashes are currently under investigation.

(By Zhang Jiahao)