- An F/A-18 fighter jet went overboard after trying to land on the USS Harry S. Truman on Tuesday.
- It’s the second Super Hornet that the aircraft carrier has lost in a little over a week and the third overall.
- F/A-18s are estimated to cost roughly $60 million apiece.
Another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet fell off the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and into the Red Sea on Tuesday, a US defense official confirmed to Business Insider.
It’s the second fighter jet lost from the Truman in a little over a week, and the third of the carrier’s deployment. Super Hornets are estimated to cost roughly $60 million apiece.
The F/A-18F was landing on the flight deck of the Truman on Tuesday when the arrestment failed, causing the fighter jet to go overboard, the official said. Both the aviators safely ejected and were rescued by an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter.
Navy aircraft carriers have catapults for launch and arresting gear for recovery. The thick cables help aircraft quickly decelerate on landing. It’s unclear what exactly failed during Tuesday’s recovery.
“The aviators were evaluated by medical personnel and assessed to have minor injuries,” the official told BI, adding that “no flight deck personnel were injured.”
US Navy photo
CNN first reported on the incident, which was the latest in a series of mishaps for Truman and its strike group.
On April 28, an F/A-18E and a tow tractor fell off the Truman and into the Red Sea after a move crew lost control of the aircraft. A sailor who jumped from the cockpit just before the fighter jet went overboard was lightly hurt.
In February, the Truman collided with a large commercial vessel in the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the firing of the carrier’s commanding officer.
And in December, the missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the Truman’s strike group, shot down a Super Hornet in what the US military described as “an apparent case of friendly fire.” Both aviators ejected safely.
The Truman has been deeply involved in combat operations against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. However, Tuesday’s incident came as President Donald Trump said that the US would end a seven-week-long intensive bombing campaign against the rebels.
