F/A-18 Super Hornet Lost Overboard from USS Harry S. Truman

RED SEA — A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet was lost at sea after falling overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on Monday, according to a Navy statement.

The incident occurred while the jet was being towed into the hangar bay. Initial reports suggest the Truman made a hard turn to avoid Houthi fire, which may have caused the fighter jet to slip overboard, a US official said.

The Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for launching a drone and missile attack on the carrier during this time. Fortunately, all personnel on board were accounted for, though one sailor suffered a minor injury.

The Navy’s statement explained, “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. Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell.” An investigation is currently underway.

A separate US official indicated that the aircraft sank shortly after it fell into the Red Sea. The cost of an individual F/A-18 fighter jet exceeds $60 million, the Navy confirmed.

The USS Harry S. Truman is part of a carrier strike group deployed in the Middle East and was conducting military operations against Houthi insurgents at the time. The Navy emphasized that the strike group remains fully mission capable despite the incident.

The Truman has been targeted in prior attacks by Houthi forces. It made headlines in February when an incident involving a nearby merchant ship occurred in which no injuries were reported. Additionally, another F/A-18 from the Truman was mistakenly shot down by USS Gettysburg last December, but both pilots were able to eject safely.