On Tuesday, a second fighter jet was lost after falling off the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier into the Red Sea, marking a troubling repeat incident within a week. At around 9:45 p.m. local time, an F/A-18F Super Hornet failed to land successfully, resulting in a “failed arrestment” when the jet’s tail hook did not catch the landing wire, causing it to accelerate off the deck and into the water. Fortunately, the two aviators onboard ejected safely and sustained only minor injuries.
Just over a week earlier, on April 28, another fighter jet, an F/A-18E, was lost when it fell from the carrier while being towed. This incident was attributed to the move crew losing control of the aircraft during towing operations in the hangar bay. The Navy stated that both incidents are under investigation.
The F/A-18F involved in Tuesday’s mishap highlights the challenges of landing on an aircraft carrier, particularly when mechanical failures occur. The earlier incident, involving the $67 million F/A-18E, raised concerns about operational safety and crew coordination during towing.
As investigations into both failures proceed, U.S. naval officials are likely to assess the mechanical reliability of the aircraft and the effectiveness of existing safety protocols during critical landing and towing operations. Both events underscore the inherent risks associated with naval aviation, where precision and control are essential for the safety of personnel and costly equipment.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
