Navy Jet Lost in Red Sea After Failed Landing, Second Incident in a Week
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet was lost in the Red Sea on Tuesday after a failed landing attempt on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. This marks the second incident of a Super Hornet going overboard from the Truman in just over a week, raising concerns about safety protocols and equipment reliability.
According to Department of Defense officials, the incident occurred as the Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, was attempting to land on the flight deck of the USS Harry S. Truman. During the landing sequence, the aircraft’s tailhook, designed to catch an arresting cable on the deck, failed to engage properly. This failure prevented the aircraft from decelerating effectively, resulting in the plane running off the end of the flight deck and into the Red Sea.
Fortunately, both pilots aboard the aircraft were able to eject safely before the plane went overboard. They were promptly rescued and evaluated by medical personnel, who determined that they sustained only minor injuries. No flight deck personnel were injured during the incident.
The lost aircraft, an F/A-18F Super Hornet, is a twin-engine, multirole fighter jet capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The Super Hornet is a mainstay of the U.S. Navy’s carrier air wings and plays a crucial role in projecting American power around the globe. The loss of the aircraft represents not only a financial setback, with each Super Hornet costing approximately $67.4 million, but also a temporary reduction in the carrier’s operational capabilities.
The incident occurred just over a week after a similar event involving another F/A-18F Super Hornet on the USS Truman. In that earlier incident, the aircraft was being towed within a hangar bay when the sailors lost control of it. Despite immediate action taken by the crew to move clear, the aircraft went overboard.
These two incidents in quick succession have prompted a thorough review of safety procedures and equipment maintenance on the USS Harry S. Truman. The Navy will likely investigate the causes of both incidents to determine if there were any systemic failures or human errors that contributed to the accidents. The investigation will aim to identify any necessary corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Despite the loss of two aircraft, Navy officials have emphasized that the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remains fully mission-capable. The strike group, a powerful coalition of U.S. warships, includes the Truman aircraft carrier, nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 1, three guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 28, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group has been operating in the Red Sea, where it has been conducting operations in support of U.S. national security interests. Most recently, the carrier has been launching strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen. The Houthis have been engaged in a long-running conflict with the Yemeni government and have frequently targeted civilian and military assets in the region. The U.S. military has been providing support to the Saudi-led coalition that is backing the Yemeni government against the Houthis.
The deployment of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to the Red Sea underscores the U.S. Navy’s commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the region and ensuring the free flow of commerce through vital shipping lanes. The Red Sea is a strategic waterway that connects the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal, making it a critical artery for global trade.
The recent incidents involving the Super Hornets on the USS Truman serve as a reminder of the inherent risks involved in naval aviation, particularly during flight operations on aircraft carriers. These operations demand precision, skill, and constant vigilance from both pilots and ground crews. The Navy is committed to continuously improving its safety procedures and equipment to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of its personnel.
The Navy is further evaluating the condition of the lost aircraft to determine the feasibility of recovery. The depth of the water and other environmental factors will play a crucial role in determining whether a salvage operation is possible. If the aircraft cannot be recovered, it will remain on the seabed.
