F/A-18 Super Hornet Lost in Red Sea: Second Incident in Days

USS Harry S. Truman, Red Sea — Another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman was lost in the Red Sea on May 6, 2025, following a failed landing attempt. This marks the second incident involving a jet from the aircraft carrier in just over a week.

At approximately 9:45 p.m. local time, the F/A-18F Super Hornet could not catch the arrestor wire as it landed, resulting in the pilots ejecting from the aircraft just before it crashed into the sea. Both the pilot and the weapons systems officer were rescued by a helicopter, suffering only minor injuries.

Two U.S. officials reported that an issue with the tail hook landing mechanism caused the jet to slip off the carrier deck. The incident is currently under investigation as authorities seek to understand why the arrestment failed.

This latest mishap follows another incident on April 28, when a separate F/A-18E jet fell off the Truman while being towed in the hangar bay. The Navy indicated that a control loss during dynamic maneuvers led to that jet’s fall. An investigation into both incidents is ongoing.

The loss of these aircraft comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group has been targeting U.S. naval assets in the Red Sea. On the same day as the recent crash, the Houthis reportedly fired at the Truman, although it is unclear if the two incidents are connected.

The Truman has faced a string of operational challenges since its deployment in 2024, including previous incidents of misfiring and collisions with commercial vessels. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth extended the carrier’s deployment in the region to bolster military presence as tensions with the Houthis continue.

Each F/A-18 jet operates at a cost of approximately $60 million, raising concerns over the frequency of these incidents and the potential impact on U.S. military operations in the area.