Washington, April 29, 2025 – The Europe Today: A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet was lost overboard into the Red Sea on Monday after slipping from the hangar deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, Navy officials confirmed.
The incident occurred while the aircraft was being towed into position within the ship’s hangar bay. According to media reports, both the pilot seated in the aircraft and the operator of the towing vehicle managed to jump clear moments before the jet and tow tractor plunged into the sea.
A defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of personnel matters, stated that the pilot sustained only minor injuries.
In an official statement, the U.S. Navy said, “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 fighter jet was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 136.
F/A-18 fighter jets are regularly repositioned throughout the hangar deck to accommodate flight operations and maintenance schedules. The Navy has not confirmed whether recovery operations for the estimated $60 million aircraft will be initiated. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
The USS Harry S. Truman has been deployed to the Middle East for several months and is actively supporting ongoing military operations in the region. In recent weeks, the carrier has participated in daily strikes against Yemen-based Houthi rebels, involving a range of assets including fighter jets, bombers, naval vessels, and drones, as reported by U.S. Central Command.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously extended the Truman’s deployment by approximately one month to support heightened operational demands in the region.
