A fighter jet has once again been lost in the Red Sea, marking the second incident within just over a week involving the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. On Tuesday evening, a two-seater F/A-18F Super Hornet went overboard during a failed landing attempt at approximately 9:45 p.m. local time. Fortunately, the two pilots aboard were able to eject safely with only minor injuries reported.
The mishap occurred when the aircraft failed to latch onto the carrier’s arrestor wire, which is designed to help land the jet safely. Initial reports indicate that the jet’s tail hook malfunctioned, failing to catch the wire, resulting in the aircraft accelerating towards the front of the carrier and ultimately crashing into the sea. An official investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the incident.
This incident comes just days after another F/A-18E Super Hornet was lost in a separate occurrence when it fell off the Harry S. Truman on April 28. The previous jet, valued at around $67 million, was reportedly being towed in the hangar bay when an unexpected loss of control occurred.
As investigations proceed for both incidents, the Navy continues to prioritize pilot safety along with improving operational procedures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The fact that both pilot ejections resulted in only minor injuries is a positive takeaway from these incidents, highlighting the effectiveness of safety protocols in place for aviators.