May 6, 2025 | Red Sea — A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet was lost in the Red Sea after a dramatic incident unfolded aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). The aircraft suffered an arrestment gear failure during landing operations, prompting both aviators onboard to eject moments before the jet skidded off the flight deck and plunged into the sea.

According to a statement released by the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, the incident occurred during routine flight operations in international waters. The two aviators—whose names have not yet been disclosed—were quickly recovered by a Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopter deployed from the carrier. Fortunately, they sustained only minor injuries and are currently undergoing medical evaluation aboard the Harry S. Truman.

An arrestment failure refers to a malfunction in the critical landing gear system used on aircraft carriers, where a tailhook on the aircraft catches one of several arresting wires stretched across the deck to bring the plane to a stop. Without successful arrestment, a fast-moving jet risks overshooting the deck and falling into the sea—exactly what appears to have happened in this case.

This marks the second such loss from the Harry S. Truman in recent months, raising fresh concerns over carrier landing safety amid sustained high-tempo operations in the Middle East region. The carrier strike group has been operating in the Red Sea as part of ongoing efforts to maintain stability and deter hostile maritime activities linked to regional tensions, particularly with ongoing instability near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Naval aviation experts will now be examining the ship’s arresting gear, flight operations procedures, and maintenance logs to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or environmental conditions played a role. While the recovery of the aviators was successful, the loss of the aircraft—valued at approximately $70 million—underscores the inherent dangers of carrier-based aviation and the incredible skill and poise required of naval aviators under pressure.

Rear Admiral Peter Gallagher, the carrier strike group commander, released a brief statement:

“We are grateful that our aviators are safe and have returned to the ship with only minor injuries. Our teams responded with speed and precision, which ensured a successful recovery. We will conduct a full investigation into the incident and continue our mission with the same focus and professionalism that defines our naval forces.”

The USS Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, plays a crucial role in U.S. naval presence in the region and is often at the forefront of power projection and rapid response. The ship’s air wing includes multiple F/A-18 Super Hornets, as well as early warning aircraft, helicopters, and electronic warfare platforms.

The Navy has not yet confirmed whether any recovery operations for the lost aircraft will be attempted, though such missions are often classified and depend heavily on the depth of the waters, security risks, and the potential for adversaries to locate sensitive equipment.

This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel even during “peacetime” operations. While modern aircraft carriers are engineering marvels and their crews highly trained, the margin for error remains razor thin.

Further updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.

Would you like a visual diagram explaining carrier landing arrestment systems and how failures can occur?