Pilots eject as F/A-18 from USS Ronald Reagan crashes into Philippine Sea

An F/A-18 Hornet flying from US Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) crashed into the Philippine Sea during routine operations on November 12.

The F/A-18 from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 experienced a mechanical issue that forced the crew to eject, the US Navy said.

The crew was recovered by USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) search and rescue aircraft and brought back to the ship for evaluation by medical personnel. Both aviators are in good condition.

The navy says the aircraft carrier has resumed normal operations adding that the crash is under investigation.

CVW 5 is embarked onboard Ronald Reagan and is currently underway on a patrol in the US 7th Fleet area of operations.

The aircraft crash occurred just days after USS Ronald Reagan completed participation in exercise Keen Sword with units from the US Air Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

On October 19, 2018, an MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter crashed aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during flight operations. The aircraft carrier was underway in the Philippine Sea at the time of the accident, after completing participation in the Republic of Korea Navy fleet review.