In brief
An F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, valued at approximately $67 million, fell off the USS Harry S. Truman on April 29, 2025, while operating in the Red Sea. The incident occurred during a towing operation in the hangar bay, where crew members lost control of the aircraft. One sailor suffered minor injuries, and the Navy has initiated an investigation into the mishap.
The carrier was maneuvering sharply to defend against missiles and drones from Houthi militias in Yemen when the incident happened. These aggressive movements are believed to have contributed to the accident, though not solely responsible, as stated by Defense Department officials. In response to ongoing Houthi attacks against military and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the U.S. has conducted air strikes in the region, hitting over 800 targets during ongoing operations against the militants.Following the jet's fall, the Navy reported that the Truman strike group remains fully operational, and sailors quickly cleared the area before the aircraft went overboard. This marks another incident involving the Harry S. Truman during its deployment, following a collision with a merchant vessel earlier this year and a previous mishap involving another Super Hornet.
