Washington: A U.S. Navy F-18 fighter jet plunged into the Red Sea on Tuesday after veering off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, marking the second such incident involving the vessel in just over a week, according to two U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity.
The officials said the incident occurred after the aircraft failed to stop properly upon landing. Both crew members managed to eject safely before the jet fell overboard and were quickly recovered by a rescue helicopter. One official confirmed that medical evaluations showed the aviators sustained only minor injuries, and no personnel on the flight deck were harmed.
The U.S. Navy has yet to release an official statement regarding the latest mishap. The incident was first reported by CNN.
The USS Truman has been operating in the Red Sea, providing support for U.S. military strikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi fighters. The back-to-back accidents are raising concerns about safety protocols and operational procedures aboard the carrier.
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Just days earlier, another fighter jet also fell from the Truman into the sea under similar circumstances. The loss of two aircraft within such a short period is considered highly unusual, particularly given the cost of U.S. fighter jets, which typically exceed $60 million each.
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While mechanical or procedural factors are still under investigation, the rare frequency of these events is expected to prompt increased scrutiny from defense officials and military oversight bodies.
