Second F/A-18 Super Hornet Lost from USS Truman in Just Over a Week

A second U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet has crashed into the Red Sea while attempting to land on the USS Harry S. Truman, marking the fourth major mishap involving the carrier in recent months.

According to multiple U.S. officials, the two-person crew was conducting a nighttime landing on Tuesday when the jet failed to catch the arresting cable and went off the edge of the flight deck. Both aviators ejected safely and were rescued by helicopter with only minor injuries reported.

The incident occurred at 8:45 p.m. local time and remains under investigation. The $60–70 million aircraft has not been recovered.

This is the second F/A-18 lost from the Truman in just over a week. On April 28, another Super Hornet fell overboard after crew members lost control while it was being towed in the hangar bay, causing it and the tow vehicle to plunge into the sea.

The Truman has faced a string of serious incidents since deploying to the Red Sea to counter Houthi rebel threats to commercial shipping. In December, a fighter jet from the Truman was accidentally shot down by a nearby U.S. ship, and in February, the carrier collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, leading to the removal of its commanding officer.

The USS Truman’s deployment was recently extended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with the USS Carl Vinson now also headed to the region to reinforce U.S. naval presence.