The U.S. Navy says at least seven people have been killed in a "landing accident" involving a nuclear-powered F-35C fighter jet that injured seven sailors traveling in the South China Sea.
The US Pacific Fleet Command said in a statement that the F-35C Lightning II jet was conducting routine flight operations.
A statement from the U.S. Navy said in a statement that the pilot was "safely out of the plane" and had been airlifted to hospital by a U.S. military helicopter.
Three of the seven injured sailors have been taken to a hospital in the Philippine capital, Manila.
In addition, four other USS Carl Vinson personnel were treated and three of them were released. No additional details were provided about the condition of the fourth sailor.
The U.S. Navy says the cause of the crash is being investigated.
The statement did not provide any information on the condition of the F-35C, nor did it say whether USS Carl Vinson suffered any bodily harm.
The Naval Institute's news website reports that the latest incident occurred when USS Carl Vinson was conducting a military exercise in the disputed South China Sea with the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.
