A US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet, worth around $67 million, fell into the Red Sea on Monday after slipping off the USS Harry S Truman while being towed inside the ship’s hangar bay, the Navy confirmed.
In a statement, the Navy said, "The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard."
The sailors manning the fighter and the tow vehicle quickly jumped clear before both machines plunged into the sea. The Navy added, "Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard."
All personnel were accounted for, with one sailor sustaining only minor injuries.
Possible Houthi attack triggered the accident
Although the aircraft was under routine repositioning at the time, initial reports suggest that the Truman might have made a sharp turn to evade incoming fire from Houthi rebels.
A US official told CNN that the sudden manoeuvre to avoid an attack possibly contributed to the incident. Houthi forces, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for a missile and drone assault on the Truman that same day.
This accident adds to growing concerns about security risks faced by US forces operating in the region, particularly in the volatile Red Sea corridor.
Investigation underway
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the fighter and tow vehicle has been launched. It remains unclear whether the Navy plans to attempt a recovery of the submerged aircraft.
Despite the incident, the Navy assured that the Truman Carrier Strike Group remains fully mission-capable and continues its operations without disruption.
Second F/A-18E loss linked to Truman in six months
This is not the first major aircraft incident involving the Truman in recent months. In December, another F/A-18 operating from the carrier was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg guided-missile cruiser during drills in the Red Sea. Both pilots safely ejected and survived.
The Truman itself had made headlines earlier this year when it collided with a merchant vessel near Egypt. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during that incident.
The USS Harry S Truman, commissioned in 1998, is a 1,092-foot nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots. It can house around 90 aircraft and has a crew capacity of more than 5,000 sailors and aviators.
The carrier has been stationed in the Middle East since February. It has played a crucial role in US military operations against Houthi militants in Yemen, launching strikes as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard maritime routes.
US Central Command has reported that military actions involving ships, drones, fighter jets and bombers continue daily. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth had recently ordered a one-month extension of the Truman’s deployment due to the intensifying regional conflict.
In a statement, the Navy said, "The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard."
The sailors manning the fighter and the tow vehicle quickly jumped clear before both machines plunged into the sea. The Navy added, "Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard."
All personnel were accounted for, with one sailor sustaining only minor injuries.
Possible Houthi attack triggered the accident
Although the aircraft was under routine repositioning at the time, initial reports suggest that the Truman might have made a sharp turn to evade incoming fire from Houthi rebels.
A US official told CNN that the sudden manoeuvre to avoid an attack possibly contributed to the incident. Houthi forces, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for a missile and drone assault on the Truman that same day.
This accident adds to growing concerns about security risks faced by US forces operating in the region, particularly in the volatile Red Sea corridor.
Investigation underway
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the fighter and tow vehicle has been launched. It remains unclear whether the Navy plans to attempt a recovery of the submerged aircraft.
Despite the incident, the Navy assured that the Truman Carrier Strike Group remains fully mission-capable and continues its operations without disruption.
Second F/A-18E loss linked to Truman in six months
This is not the first major aircraft incident involving the Truman in recent months. In December, another F/A-18 operating from the carrier was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg guided-missile cruiser during drills in the Red Sea. Both pilots safely ejected and survived.
The Truman itself had made headlines earlier this year when it collided with a merchant vessel near Egypt. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during that incident.
The USS Harry S Truman, commissioned in 1998, is a 1,092-foot nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots. It can house around 90 aircraft and has a crew capacity of more than 5,000 sailors and aviators.
The carrier has been stationed in the Middle East since February. It has played a crucial role in US military operations against Houthi militants in Yemen, launching strikes as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard maritime routes.
US Central Command has reported that military actions involving ships, drones, fighter jets and bombers continue daily. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth had recently ordered a one-month extension of the Truman’s deployment due to the intensifying regional conflict.
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