8 injured aboard US aircraft carrier

Eight sailors aboard the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) were injured on March 18 when an arresting gear broke during a routine landing by an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, the U.S. Navy said.

The injured sailors were working on the flight deck at the time of the mishap. Six have been transported to Norfolk Sentara General Hospital for treatment while two remained aboard IKE.

There were no fatalities and the sailors were listed in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

The aircraft regained flight and returned safely to its base at Norfolk Naval Station Chambers Field. Initial reports are the aircraft was not damaged and no aircrew members were injured.

The ship is off the Virginia coast conducting carrier qualifications for Composite Training Unit and Joint Task Force Exercises (COMPTUEX/JTFEX) in preparation for their upcoming deployment.

Arresting gear systems are used by aircraft carriers for decelerating aircraft as they land on the flight deck.

The U.S. Navy said an investigation was underway to determine the cause.