United States Navy EA-18G Crash

An EA-18G Growler of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 "Zappers" was lost at about 18:18 local time on 28 September 2026 while recovering aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) during carrier qualifications off the coast of Virginia. According to the US Navy, the arresting gear failed during the landing; USNI News reported that the aircraft failed to stop and went over the edge of the flight deck. Both aviators ejected and were recovered by an HSC-7 search-and-rescue helicopter, and the Navy said several sailors on deck were injured, one evacuated to a Norfolk-area hospital. The carrier paused flight operations and returned to Naval Station Norfolk for an assessment of its launch and recovery equipment; the cause is under investigation.