According to reports by WAVY-TV, a NBC station, as reported by the US Navy News, the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower is en route back to Norfolk Naval Base. Previously, on September 28th, an accident occurred on this ship, resulting in four sailors being injured and causing the loss of an EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft known as the ‘Roar’.
The United States Navy Atlantic Air Forces Command stated in a statement that returning to Hong Kong would “allow for a comprehensive assessment of the catapults and recovery equipment on board the aircraft during the aviation accident on September 28”.
The command also stated: “This decision reflects the Navy’s careful approach to flight safety and readiness. Although the cause of the accident is still under investigation, Navy technical experts will conduct a thorough evaluation of the affected systems and complete all necessary maintenance before resuming flight operations.”
According to reports by the Associated Press and several other media outlets on September 28, the lost aircraft, known as the 'Roarerer', was part of the 130th Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-130) named 'Zappers'. It was attempting to land on the aircraft carrier when its arresting rope failed, preventing the aircraft from stopping and it flew off the edge of the deck of the USS Eisenhower.
Four sailors were injured in the incident, and one of them was airlifted to Norfolk for further treatment. Two of the on-board pilots managed to eject safely.
The US newspaper The Hill revealed that the Nimitz-class USS Eisenhower is the flagship of the U.S. Navy’s second aircraft carrier strike group, which is commanded by Vice Admiral P. Scott Miller. This aircraft carrier possesses capabilities for maritime security, deployment of forces in far-off regions, presence in coastal areas, crisis response, and maritime control.
This aircraft carrier is named after former U.S. President Eisenhower, and its home port is located in Norfolk. It was commissioned in 1977 and is the second ship of the Nimitz-class. It has been deployed to support U.S. military operations during the Gulf War, the Afghanistan War, and the Iraq War.
