In a dramatic turn of events, a second U.S. fighter jet has plunged into the Red Sea within just over a week, raising fresh concerns about operational safety aboard American aircraft carriers amid high-stakes missions in the Middle East.
The latest incident unfolded on Tuesday as an F/A-18 Super Hornet attempted to land on the USS Harry S. Truman, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier currently deployed in the Red Sea. According to reports from Sky News, the jet’s arrestment gear failed during the landing, forcing both pilots to eject moments before impact.
The aviators, who sustained only minor injuries, were swiftly rescued by a nearby helicopter. Fortunately, no casualties or damage were reported among flight deck personnel during the emergency.
This marks the second high-profile aviation mishap on the USS Harry S. Truman in just nine days. On April 28, another F/A-18 jet and its tow tractor toppled off the flight deck and into the sea while the aircraft was being maneuvered. Two sailors narrowly escaped with their lives—one sustaining minor injuries—after leaping from the moving equipment.
Valued at approximately $60 million apiece, the Super Hornets are cornerstone assets of U.S. naval aviation. However, a recent string of incidents has cast a shadow over their deployment. The same aircraft carrier was previously involved in a minor collision with a merchant ship near Port Said, Egypt, in February.
Moreover, in a separate December debacle, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg inadvertently shot down a fellow American F/A-18 over the Red Sea during a live-fire exercise. Though both pilots managed to eject, one was injured in the process.
The USS Harry S. Truman has been operating at an intense pace, playing a pivotal role in U.S.-led airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. With the carrier group frequently engaged in high-risk missions across volatile waters, these accidents underscore the immense pressure faced by personnel navigating the complexities of modern warfare.
As investigations are launched and operational protocols reviewed, the back-to-back incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers U.S. forces confront daily while projecting power in some of the world’s most contested regions.
PIONEER NEWS 