A second U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea in just over a week, marking a troubling series of incidents for the carrier group operating in the region345678.
Incident Details
- On Tuesday, May 6, the F/A-18F Super Hornet was attempting to land on the Truman’s flight deck when it suffered an “arrestment failure”-a malfunction in the system designed to safely decelerate landing jets45678.
- Both the pilot and the weapons systems officer ejected safely and were rescued by a helicopter. They sustained only minor injuries and no flight deck personnel were harmed45678.
- The jet, valued at approximately $60–67 million, remains submerged in the Red Sea as recovery efforts continue45678.
- The cause of the arrestor system failure is under investigation45678.
Recent History of Mishaps
- Just eight days earlier, on April 28, another F/A-18 Super Hornet fell overboard while being towed in the hangar bay during an evasive maneuver to avoid Houthi attacks. The tow tractor also went into the sea, and one sailor suffered a minor injury45678.
- In December, a third jet from the Truman was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg, though both crew members survived36.
- In February, the Truman was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel in the Mediterranean, leading to the removal of its commanding officer36.
Operational Context
- The Truman Carrier Strike Group has been deployed in the Red Sea for several months to counter threats from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have repeatedly targeted the carrier and commercial shipping in the area345678.
- The latest incident occurred just hours after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement with the Houthis, stating the group had agreed to halt attacks on shipping in the Red Sea3478.
Summary Table: Recent Major Incidents Involving USS Truman
| Date | Incident | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2025 | Arrestor failure during landing; jet lost | 2 crew rescued, minor injuries |
| Apr 28, 2025 | Jet lost overboard during towing | 1 sailor minor injury, jet unrecovered |
| Dec 2024 | Jet mistakenly shot down by USS Gettysburg | Crew survived |
| Feb 2025 | Collision with merchant vessel | Commanding officer relieved |
Ongoing Investigations
The Navy and U.S. Central Command are investigating the recent incidents, with a focus on mechanical failures, operational procedures, and the high-pressure environment created by persistent Houthi attacks345678.
These back-to-back losses of advanced fighter jets underscore the operational risks and technical challenges faced by U.S. naval forces in one of the world’s most volatile maritime regions.
