The fighter plane fell into the disputed waters after a landing accident on Monday in which seven sailors were hurt.
The United States Navy is making arrangements to recover an F-35C fighter jet that fell into the South China Sea after an accident as the pilot attempted a landing on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier.
The pilot ejected safely but was among seven military personnel who were hurt in the incident.
“I can confirm the aircraft impacted the flight deck during landing and subsequently fell to the water,” said Lieutenant Nicholas Lingo, spokesperson for the US Seventh Fleet.
“The US Navy is making recovery operations arrangements for the F-35C aircraft.”
The crash is the second involving an F-35 and an aircraft carrier in just over two months.
