An F/A-18E fighter jet and tow tractor plunged into the sea from the USS Harry S. Truman during a towing mishap; one sailor sustained minor injuries.
Washington, April 29, 2025 —
In a costly accident, a $67-million US fighter jet fell off the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier into the Red Sea on Monday, injuring one sailor, the US Navy reported.
The mishap occurred when a tractor towing the F/A-18E fighter jet lost control, causing both the jet and the tow vehicle to slip overboard.
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“The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard,” the Navy said in a statement.
One of our $60 million F-18s just fell into the bottom of the Red Sea.
— Mark Bland (@markbland) April 28, 2025
Right off the side of an aircraft carrier . pic.twitter.com/xogDGa5Ua2
Fortunately, sailors quickly moved clear of the aircraft before it plunged into the sea, and all personnel were accounted for. Only one sailor sustained a minor injury.
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The USS Truman, along with its other aircraft, remains operational, while an investigation into the incident is underway. The Navy did not disclose details regarding recovery efforts.
This marks the second F/A-18 incident linked to the Truman in less than six months. Last year, another F/A-18 operating from the Truman was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg cruiser in a friendly fire incident; both pilots survived.
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The USS Truman is one of two American aircraft carriers deployed in the Middle East, where US forces have been conducting strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels since March to secure vital shipping routes.
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US Navy, fighter jet accident, F/A-18E Red Sea, aircraft carrier mishap, USS Harry S. Truman, Red Sea news, military aviation accident, Houthi threat Middle East