Navy warplane down from US carrier

Navy warplane down from US carrier

In this March 22, 2007 file photo, the US aircraft carrier 'USS Ronald Reagan', bottom, anchors as a US Aegis class cruiser passes, after they arrived at Busan port for joint military exercises in Busan, South Korea. (AP file photo)
In this March 22, 2007 file photo, the US aircraft carrier 'USS Ronald Reagan', bottom, anchors as a US Aegis class cruiser passes, after they arrived at Busan port for joint military exercises in Busan, South Korea. (AP file photo)

TOKYO: A US Navy warplane based on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan has crashed into the sea northeast of the Philippines, but its two aviators were safely rescued.

The Navy's 7th Fleet said in a statement that the F/A-18 Hornet had a mechanical problem during Monday's routine operations in the Philippine Sea.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The Navy said the aviators were immediately plucked from the water by a rescue aircraft and brought back to the ship. It said they are both in good condition.

It was the second crash involving USS Ronald Reagan in less than a month.

In mid-October, a MH-60 Seahawk crashed shortly after takeoff, causing non-fatal injuries to a dozen sailors.

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