Second US Navy Fighter Jet Lost at Sea from USS Harry S. Truman

A second F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet has plunged into the Red Sea from the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), the U.S. Navy confirmed on May 6, 2025. The incident occurred during a nighttime landing attempt when the aircraft’s arresting gear failed to stop it, causing it to roll off the flight deck and into the sea.

Both pilots ejected safely and were rescued by an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter. According to the U.S. Navy, the crew members suffered only minor injuries. No personnel on the flight deck were harmed during the incident.

This marks the second Super Hornet lost in less than ten days during ongoing operations in the Red Sea. On April 28, another F/A-18E and a tow vehicle were lost after the carrier executed an abrupt maneuver to evade an incoming missile allegedly launched by Yemen’s Houthi forces. That event resulted in minor injuries to one sailor.

These incidents follow an earlier collision in February between the Harry S. Truman and a civilian vessel in the Mediterranean, which led to the removal of the carrier’s commanding officer.

The Harry S. Truman is currently deployed as part of U.S. efforts to counter Houthi attacks in the region. The United States has conducted over 800 airstrikes against Houthi targets since the beginning of 2024, in response to repeated assaults on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Despite the recent accidents, Navy officials insist the carrier strike group remains fully operational. An internal investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the latest crash.

The repeated loss of advanced fighter jets and growing number of incidents have raised concerns over operational safety and equipment reliability aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.