US Navy MH-60 Seahawk crashes into Arabian Sea during ‘emergency’ landing; one crew member missing

Washinton: A US Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter made an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea during an operational mission, leaving one crew member missing while three others were rescued with injuries.

This US Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea after making an emergency water landing during an operational mission on July 1, prompting a large-scale search operation for a missing crew member.

According to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, the helicopter was operating from the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier when the incident occurred. The aircraft had four crew members on board. Three were rescued after sustaining injuries and are reported to be in stable condition, while one crew member remains missing.

The Navy said there is no indication that hostile action caused the incident. Naval and aerial assets deployed in the region have been searching the area for the missing service member.

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"The cause of the incident is under investigation," the Fifth Fleet said in its official statement.

The MH-60S Seahawk is a multi-role helicopter used by the US Navy for missions including search and rescue, logistics support, combat operations and maritime security. Emergency water landings involving helicopters can be particularly dangerous because the aircraft can become unstable and overturn after hitting the water.

The helicopter was assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush, one of the US Navy's aircraft carriers deployed to the Middle East. The carrier has been operating in the region since April 2026 as part of an increased American military presence amid tensions involving Iran.

The US Fifth Fleet, headquartered at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, oversees naval operations across the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. It also plays a critical role in safeguarding strategic maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb.

The helicopter incident comes as US forces in the region remain on heightened alert despite the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Authorities have not released the identity of the missing crew member, and search-and-rescue operations are continuing.