US Fighter Jet Falls Overboard, Sinks Into Red Sea

A U.S. Navy fighter jet has fallen overboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and is now lost in the Red Sea, the U.S. Navy confirmed on Monday.

Incident Details

Aircraft Lost: A $60 million F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 136, fell into the Red Sea after an accident occurred during a towing operation.
Cause of Loss: The aircraft, which was being moved in the carrier’s hangar bay, slipped out of control when the towing crew lost control of both the aircraft and the tow tractor. The Navy reported that the aircraft and the tow tractor were lost overboard.

Impact on Personnel

Injury: One sailor sustained minor injuries during the incident. However, the rest of the crew members, including those towing the aircraft, managed to move clear before the jet fell.
Immediate Response: The Navy confirmed that the crew acted quickly to avoid further harm.

Current Situation

Investigation Underway: The Navy has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the mishap.
Carrier Operations: The USS Harry S. Truman has been operating in the Middle East since February and continues to be involved in military actions. Aircraft from the carrier have been participating in strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen since mid-March.

Possible Connection to Recent Military Activity

Houthi Attack: Initial reports suggest the aircraft may have fallen overboard while the carrier was evading Houthi fire. The Truman made a hard turn to avoid an attack, and it is believed this movement may have led to the accident.
Houthi Claim: On Monday, the Houthis claimed to have launched a drone and missile attack targeting the USS Harry S. Truman.

Previous Incidents

Past Collision: Earlier this year, the USS Harry S. Truman underwent repairs after a collision with a merchant vessel near Egypt.
Downed Fighter Incident: In December, a fighter jet from the Truman was mistakenly downed by the USS Gettysburg in the Red Sea. However, both pilots were able to eject safely before the aircraft was destroyed.

Navy's Response

Strike Group Status: Despite these incidents, the Navy assures that the USS Harry S. Truman strike group and its air wing remain fully mission-capable and continue to carry out their objectives in the region.

Conclusion

This recent mishap underscores the challenges of operating in high-stress environments. The Navy continues to investigate the causes of the incident while maintaining its operations in the Middle East.