USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to return to Norfolk after EA-18G Growler landing mishap

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) will return to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, for a detailed examination of its aircraft launch and recovery equipment following the September 28, 2026 landing mishap involving an EA-18G Growler. Naval Air Force Atlantic announced the decision on Saturday, October 3, five days after the incident. Flight operations aboard the carrier have been suspended since the mishap.

The accident occurred at approximately 18:18 Eastern Daylight Time on September 28, off Virginia, during aircraft recovery operations. The Growler belonged to the “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), part of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3).

An arresting-gear failure was followed by both naval aviators ejecting. Search-and-rescue personnel from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 7 (HSC-7) recovered them and returned them safely to the carrier. USNI News reported that the aircraft failed to stop and went over the flight deck’s edge.

The Navy’s September 29 medical update said eight sailors were evaluated by the ship’s medical staff. One sailor was flown to a hospital in the Norfolk area for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. The two aviators and two additional sailors injured on the flight deck were flown to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth for further evaluation.

The Nimitz-class carrier had been conducting training and carrier qualifications after a maintenance period. It departed Norfolk on the afternoon of September 28 for another stage of its training ahead of a deployment planned for 2027, as reported by The War Zone. The EA-18G Growler is the Navy’s electronic-warfare aircraft and operates from carriers alongside F/A-18 Super Hornets.

Systems assessment before flight operations resume

Naval Air Force Atlantic said the return would allow a comprehensive assessment of the carrier’s aircraft launch and recovery equipment. Its October 3 statement, reproduced in full by USNI News, said: “The decision reflects the Navy’s deliberate approach to flight safety and readiness.”

The cause of the mishap remains under investigation. Navy technical specialists will examine the affected systems and carry out any maintenance that is needed before flight operations restart. The assessment is intended to establish what work is necessary on the equipment involved.

The command said Eisenhower remains able to navigate safely and conduct its other shipboard operations. It did not give an arrival date at Norfolk or a timetable for the assessment, maintenance work or resumption of flying.