Defense & Military
U.S. Navy Recovers Two Aircraft from South China Sea Floor
The U.S. Navy recovered an F/A-18F Super Hornet and MH-60R Seahawk from 400 feet underwater following October 2025 mishaps near USS Nimitz.
This article is based on an official press release from the U.S. 7th Fleet.
The U.S. Navy has successfully recovered two Military-Aircraft lost at sea during routine operations in the South China Sea. According to an official statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet, the recovery operation for an F/A-18F Super Hornet and an MH-60R Seahawk was completed on December 5, 2025. Both airframes were retrieved from a depth of approximately 400 feet.
The recovery effort, which concluded more than a month after the initial incidents, involved a complex coordination of salvage teams, diving experts, and contracted commercial vessels. Navy officials confirmed that the operation was conducted to prevent the loss of sensitive technology and to facilitate the ongoing Investigation into the cause of the crashes.
The recovery mission stems from two separate mishaps that occurred on October 26, 2025, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The incidents took place within approximately 30 minutes of one another while the carrier was conducting routine flight operations in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
According to fleet records and deployment data, the aircraft involved were:
Despite the loss of the airframes, the U.S. 7th Fleet emphasized that all personnel survived. The three crew members of the Helicopters were rescued immediately following their crash. Less than an hour later, when the Super Hornet went down, both aviators ejected safely and were subsequently recovered.
“The U.S. Navy successfully recovered [the aircraft]… from the ocean floor Dec. 5,” the 7th Fleet confirmed in their official release.
The salvage mission was led by Commander, Task Force (CTF) 73, in coordination with the Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV). Due to the depth of the water, approximately 400 feet, and the specific requirements of the recovery, the Navy employed a mix of military and commercial assets.
The primary lifting operation was conducted by a contracted “Vessel of Opportunity,” a commercial ship outfitted specifically for this mission. This vessel utilized a government-owned, contractor-operated deep-ocean salvage system, which included a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to rig the aircraft for lifting. The USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), a Safeguard-class salvage ship, provided additional on-scene support.
The recovered aircraft will be transported to a designated facility for inspection. The official cause of the incidents remains under investigation. While early public speculation and media reports suggested potential fuel contamination issues, Navy officials have stated there is currently no confirmed evidence of foul play, and the investigation will determine the precise factors involved. The urgency and scale of this recovery operation highlight the strategic sensitivity of the South China Sea. While the recovery of airframes is standard procedure for mishap investigations, the location adds a layer of geopolitical complexity. The F/A-18F and MH-60R contain classified Avionics, Radar-Systems, and communications equipment that the United States prioritizes protecting from foreign exploitation.
Operating in international waters heavily patrolled by the People’s Republic of China, the U.S. Navy likely prioritized a swift recovery to ensure no sensitive material remained on the ocean floor. This operation mirrors similar high-priority salvage missions, such as the 2022 recovery of an F-35C in the same region, underscoring the Navy’s capability to protect its technological assets even in contested maritime environments.
Were there any casualties in the crashes? Why did the Navy recover the aircraft? What caused the crashes?
U.S. Navy Recovers Two Aircraft from South China Sea Floor Following October Mishaps
Incident Overview and Timeline
Salvage Operation Details
AirPro News Analysis: Strategic Implications
Frequently Asked Questions
No. All crew members involved in both the MH-60R and F/A-18F crashes were rescued safely on the day of the incident, October 26, 2025.
Recovery is standard procedure to determine the cause of the mishap and to prevent sensitive technology from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries, particularly in contested waters like the South China Sea.
The official cause is currently under investigation. While the proximity of the two crashes (within 30 minutes of each other) raised questions, the Navy has not released a final determination.
Sources
Photo Credit: Petty Officer 2nd Class Carson Croom