USS Eisenhower returns to Norfolk base for inspection due to jet fighter accident

The USS Eisenhower is returning to its Norfolk base for inspection due to an electronic warfare aircraft accident. (AFP file photo)

[Reporter Tu Jumin/Comprehensive Report] A carrier-based aircraft accident occurred on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) at the end of last month. When an EA-18G "Growler" electric fighter jet landed, the arresting cable failed to function properly. The fighter jet failed to stop in time and rushed out of the flight deck. The accident injured four sailors and the fighter jet crashed into the sea. Foreign media reported that the USS Eisenhower is returning to the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia and will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the ship's aircraft takeoff and recovery equipment.

Foreign media "USNI News" reported that the accident occurred on September 28. The crashed EA-18G belonged to the 130th Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-130) "Zappers". The aircraft was preparing to land on the USS Eisenhower, but the arresting cable malfunctioned. The aircraft failed to slow down effectively after landing, and finally rushed directly off the edge of the aircraft deck. The U.S. Navy stated that four sailors were injured in the accident, and one of them was evacuated to Norfolk for further treatment.

This report stated that the aircraft carrier "USS Eisenhower" has suspended flight operations since the accident. The U.S. Navy's Atlantic Air Command issued a statement on the 3rd stating that the purpose of returning the USS Eisenhower to port is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the aircraft take-off, landing and recovery system after the September 28 accident. Naval technical experts will thoroughly inspect the affected equipment and complete necessary repairs before resuming flight operations.

The US military emphasized that the cause of the accident is still under investigation. The decision to return to Hong Kong mainly considers flight safety and combat readiness needs, but the "Eisenhower" itself is still capable of safe navigation and performing shipboard operations.

It is worth noting that the "Eisenhower" is in the initial aircraft qualification training stage after the maintenance period. It was gradually restoring the take-off and landing capabilities of carrier-based aircraft. Now it has suspended flight operations again due to the "Growler" electronic fighter accident. The results of subsequent inspections will affect the timetable for restoring complete aviation combat capabilities.