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Four US Navy sailors suffered injuries Monday evening after an aircraft experienced a mishap while attempting to land on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower off the coast of Virginia.
The incident happened at about 6:18 p.m. EDT during aircraft recovery operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, according to the US Navy.
Two aviators ejected from the aircraft during the incident. Search-and-rescue personnel quickly recovered both aviators and returned them safely to the ship.
The Navy said the two aviators were undergoing medical evaluations following the incident.
Four sailors injured during landing operation
The Navy reported injuries among four sailors aboard the Eisenhower.
One sailor was transported to a hospital in the Norfolk area for treatment. The sailor suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Navy.
Meanwhile, medical personnel treated the other three injured sailors aboard the aircraft carrier.
The Navy has not released the names of the injured sailors or the two aviators involved.
Officials also have not provided details about what caused the aircraft mishap.
The service described the event as a “mishap” during aircraft recovery operations. However, it did not identify the specific circumstances surrounding the landing attempt.
Navy investigates aircraft carrier incident
The Navy has not identified the type of aircraft involved in the incident.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower typically operates with F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
Both aircraft types can carry two crew members, meaning either aircraft could potentially have involved two aviators. The Navy has not confirmed which aircraft was involved.
A Navy spokesperson said additional information would be released as it becomes available.
The incident occurred during flight operations aboard a major US aircraft carrier, where crews regularly conduct demanding takeoffs and landings.
Carrier aircraft recovery requires pilots and deck crews to coordinate closely as aircraft approach the ship and land on its relatively short flight deck.
Eisenhower recently returned to operations
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower recently completed a lengthy maintenance period.
The carrier finished a planned 15-month maintenance and repair period in April. It later returned to operations and continued conducting training activities.
As recently as late August, the Eisenhower was conducting carrier qualifications off the Virginia coast, according to recent Defense Department releases.
The carrier is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and serves as a major platform for US Navy aviation operations.
Monday’s incident adds another focus on the risks faced by pilots and sailors during carrier flight operations.
For now, the Navy has not reported any life-threatening injuries connected to the incident.
Officials are expected to provide additional information as they determine what happened during the aircraft’s landing attempt.
The Navy’s investigation will help establish the circumstances surrounding the mishap and determine what led to the aircraft’s ejection and the injuries aboard the carrier.
Source: CNN / US Navy
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