US Navy helicopter crashes onto flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier

Sailors injured but in stable condition, Navy says

The MH-60 Seahawk crashed shortly after take-off while the USS Ronald Reagan was off the coast of the Philippines (AP/Bullit Marquez)

US sailors have been injured after a helicopter crashed onto the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.

The MH-60 Seahawk crashed shortly after takeoff while the USS Ronald Reagan was off the coast of the Philippines, the Navy’s 7th Fleet said.

All affected sailors were in a stable condition and their injuries were non life threatening, the Navy said.

It did not say how many sailors were hurt.

A spokesperson said some of them would be examined and treated after they reach the shore, though officials did not specify the destination.

The Navy did not give details on any damage to the helicopter or the aircraft carrier.

But it said the ship was fully capable of conducting its mission for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The aircraft carrier has since resumed flight training.

The Navy said the crash happened while the Ronald Reagan Strike Group was conducting routine operations in the Philippine Sea.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

Last week, the USS Ronald Reagan participated in the international naval review hosted off the South Korean island of Jeju.