A US Navy aircraft with 11 people aboard on Wednesday crashed in the Pacific Ocean, en route to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea, reported RIA Novosti news agency of Russia. 

“A United States Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed into the ocean southeast of [Japan’s] Okinawa [Island] at approximately 2:45 p.m. today,” reads the respective US Navy statement.

The USS Ronald Reagan is conducting search and rescue operations.

Personnel recovery is underway, and their condition will be evaluated by USS Ronald Reagan medical staff.

The cause of the crash is not known at this time.