Overview
- A recovery mishap occurred during carrier landings on Monday, Sept. 28, when two Carrier Air Wing 3 aviators ejected and were promptly recovered and taken back to the ship for medical evaluation.
- Shipboard medical teams treated multiple sailors after the incident and one sailor was flown to a Norfolk‑area hospital with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening.
- The Navy later identified the jet as an EA‑18G Growler and said the crew ejected after an arresting‑gear failure during the landing attempt.
- Reports differ on how many personnel were evaluated or hurt, with initial Navy statements citing four injured and later accounts saying up to eight sailors received medical checks.
- The carrier was conducting post‑maintenance carrier qualifications before a planned deployment period and the service has opened an investigation to determine cause and any damage to equipment or the ship.