An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Fighting Swordsmen’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, lands on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) May 6, 2026. (US Navy photo)
Four injured in landing mishap aboard US aircraft carrier
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- The two-person aircrew successfully ejected, were recovered from the water, and received medical evaluation.
- Three sailors were treated onboard, while one was transferred to a Norfolk hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
- The mishap occurred during carrier qualifications shortly after the vessel departed Naval Station Norfolk.
Four personnel were injured and two aviators were safely recovered after an aircraft landing mishap occurred aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) off the coast of Virginia on Monday evening.
The incident took place during recovery operations as an unspecified two-seat aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing 3 experienced a mishap on the flight deck.
Both aviators aboard the aircraft ejected prior to or during the event and were safely retrieved by recovery teams.
"At approximately 6:18 p.m. EDT on Sept. 28, a mishap occurred during aircraft recovery operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) off the coast of Virginia," the US Navy stated in an official release provided to USNI News. "Both aviators were safely returned to the ship and are being evaluated by medical personnel. Four shipboard personnel were also injured during the mishap and are receiving medical care. One sailor is being transported to a Norfolk-area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries."
The mishap transpired as Eisenhower was conducting early carrier qualifications off the US East Coast.
According to ship-tracking reports, the carrier departed its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, earlier on Monday afternoon.
The vessel had previously completed its most recent repair period in July.
While the Navy did not officially identify the specific model of the lost aircraft, the service operates two primary two-seat carrier-capable combat aircraft assigned to carrier air wings: the F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighter and the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
Additionally, the Navy utilizes the two-seat T-45 Goshawk trainer for flight operations.
