MALFUNCTION

Official: USS John McCain Lost Steering Control Before Crash

Authorities say it’s unclear why the ship’s backup steering system didn’t kick in.

A U.S. Navy official said Monday that the USS John S. McCain suffered a steering malfunction prior to its crash near Singapore on Sunday, CNN reports. The official said it was not yet clear why the warship’s backup steering systems weren’t utilized to regain control before it ran into a merchant vessel. The latest detail came as search and rescue operations were ongoing for 10 sailors who went missing in the crash. Five other service members were injured in the accident. The collision of the guided-missile destroyer marks the fourth accident involving a U.S. warship in recent months. The U.S. Navy has ordered an investigation into the collision and its entire Pacific fleet as a result of the crash, as well as a one-day “operational pause” to take place at the discretion of commanders over the next few weeks.