Seven injured following landing mishap on US Navy aircraft carrier in South China Sea

By Baird Maritime - January 25, 2022.

In this undated file photo, a US Navy F-35C Lightning II strike fighter aircraft lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Another F-35C and an F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter can be seen parked on the carrier's aft flight deck. (Photo: US Navy)

The US Navy said that one of its F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft had a landing mishap on deck while the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea on Monday, January 24.

The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered via US military helicopter. The pilot is in stable condition.

There were seven total sailors injured. Three sailors were evacuated to a medical treatment facility in Manila, Philippines, and four were treated by Carl Vinson‘s on-board medical personnel.

The navy assured that all three sailors who were evacuated to Manila are assessed as stable. Of the four sailors treated by the carrier’s on-board medical personnel, three have been released.

Additional details and the cause of the in-flight mishap are under investigation.