US Navy Fighter Jet Falls Off Aircraft Carrier in Red Sea Incident
A US F/A-18E Super Hornet jet was accidentally lost at sea after falling from the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman, which is currently deployed in the Red Sea, the US Navy has confirmed.
The incident occurred as sailors were towing the jet into the carrier’s hangar bay when control was lost, sending both the aircraft and the towing tractor overboard. The Navy said one sailor was injured after jumping from the jet’s cockpit, while another had to leap from the tractor to avoid injury.
According to a defense official, the mishap happened during a routine towing operation—common aboard aircraft carriers to reposition jets for flight operations or maintenance. The lost jet, part of Strike Fighter Squadron 136, is valued at approximately $60 million (USD).
Whether recovery efforts will be made remains uncertain. The Navy has launched an investigation into the incident.
The USS Harry S. Truman has been stationed in the Middle East for several months, playing a key role in recent intensified operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. US Central Command noted that military strikes in the region are being carried out daily using aircraft, ships, bombers, and drones.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has already extended the carrier’s deployment by about a month to support ongoing military efforts in the region.
