US Navy Loses Second Super Hornet From Truman Carrier In Just A Week

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet fell into the Red Sea on May 6 while trying to land on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. This is the second jet lost from the same ship in just over a week, according to multiple U.S. officials.

The jet was attempting a nighttime landing around 8:45 p.m. local time when the aircraft failed to catch the arresting wire — a situation commonly referred to as a “failed arrestment.” As a result, the jet overshot the deck and crashed into the sea.

The pilot and the weapons systems officer ejected safely and were rescued by an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from squadron HSC-11. Both suffered only minor injuries.

The Super Hornet belonged to squadron VFA-11, also known as the Red Rippers. The aircraft has not been recovered, and an investigation into the cause of the mishap is currently ongoing.

This marks the fourth major accident linked to the USS Harry S. Truman since it deployed last year. Just eight days prior, another F/A-18E jet, costing around $67–70 million, was lost after it fell off the side of the ship while being moved in the hangar bay.

The tow crew lost control of the jet, which tumbled into the sea along with the tow tractor. No one was injured in that incident either.

Before these recent events, the carrier was involved in two other serious mishaps. In December, another F/A-18 jet operating from the Truman was mistakenly fired upon by the USS Gettysburg, a cruiser assigned to the same strike group, and crashed into the Red Sea.

Fortunately, both aviators safely ejected.

Crews embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) resupply at sea and operate 24/7, targeting Iran-backed Houthi terrorists within Houthi controlled areas of Yemen.#HouthisAreTerrorists pic.twitter.com/TgT1dKEVcr

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 2, 2025

Then, in February, the Truman collided with a large merchant vessel near Port Said in the Mediterranean Sea. Following that collision, the ship’s commanding officer at the time, Captain Dave Snowden, was relieved of duty. Captain Christopher Hill took over command shortly afterwards.

Four individuals familiar with operations said the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen “took a shot” at the Truman on Tuesday, the same day the latest jet was lost. This happened just hours after President Donald Trump publicly announced a ceasefire deal with the group.

However, a senior Houthi official was quoted as saying the group had not agreed to any ceasefire yet and needed more time to evaluate the proposal.

In early 2024, a U.S. destroyer had to activate its Phalanx Close-In Weapon System, the ship’s last line of defense, when a Houthi-fired cruise missile came within just one mile of impact.

The Truman, one of two U.S. carriers operating in the region, had its return home postponed last month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Instead, another carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, was sent to the region to reinforce naval presence in the area.

References: TWZ, CNN

Source: Maritime Shipping News