In a disturbing turn of events, another U.S. Navy fighter jet has plunged into the Red Sea following a failed nighttime landing aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, an aircraft carrier operating in the region. This marks the second such mishap within a week, and it raises serious concerns about the safety of flight operations aboard one of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carriers. According to a U.S. official speaking to ABC News, the F/A-18F fighter jet went off the side of the carrier after a failed arrestment system caused a missed landing. The two pilots aboard the aircraft were able to eject just before the jet fell into the sea. Fortunately, the pilots were recovered promptly and are believed to have sustained only minor injuries. While no other injuries were reported, the incident is the latest in a string of mishaps that have plagued the USS Harry S. Truman during its extended deployment.
The mishap occurred on the night of May 6, 2025, at approximately 8:45 p.m. local time, while the USS Harry S. Truman was conducting operations in the Red Sea. The fighter jet had attempted to land on the carrier, a routine operation during the night. However, something went wrong during the landing procedure. The arrestment system, which is designed to safely catch a plane’s tailhook and stop its forward momentum as it lands, failed to stop the F/A-18F jet in time. As the plane veered off the side of the carrier, the two pilots ejected and were safely rescued by a recovery team. While their injuries were reported as minor, the incident added to the growing list of challenges faced by the Truman’s crew during its deployment.
The F/A-18F jet that went down in the Red Sea is part of the U.S. Navy’s fleet of high-tech fighter jets, and each of these aircraft costs approximately $70 million. The loss of such a sophisticated and expensive asset adds to the increasing concerns surrounding the ship’s operations. This is the second fighter jet mishap within the last eight days, as just a week ago, another F/A-18 jet fell off the side of the Truman while being towed in the hangar bay. In that case, the crew lost control of the aircraft while towing it, leading to the plane tumbling off the side of the ship, along with the tow truck. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in either of these incidents, though the losses of these aircraft and the disruptions caused by these mishaps are beginning to take a toll on the Truman’s mission readiness.
This latest incident comes on the heels of a string of significant mishaps involving the USS Harry S. Truman. Just a few months ago, in February 2025, the Truman collided with a large merchant vessel while operating in the Mediterranean Sea near the port of Port Said, Egypt. While the collision caused damage to the carrier, no serious injuries were reported. The incident raised questions about the safety of the Truman’s operations in busy maritime areas. This followed a highly publicized accidental shootdown of another F/A-18 jet by one of the surface ships attached to the Truman strike group. The accidental shootdown, which occurred late last year, further added to the ongoing scrutiny of the Truman’s safety record.
The USS Harry S. Truman has been deployed since last year, operating primarily in the Red Sea and surrounding areas. The carrier’s mission has been focused on providing protection for commercial shipping lanes, which have been under constant threat from Houthi rebels based in Yemen. The U.S. Navy has been tasked with safeguarding these vital shipping routes to ensure that international trade remains unimpeded. The growing tensions in the region, particularly with the Houthi rebels, have only added pressure on the Truman’s crew as they continue to perform their duties.
The series of mishaps aboard the USS Harry S. Truman has led to heightened concerns among naval officials. While the Navy has extensive protocols and safety procedures in place to prevent accidents during flight operations, the recent string of failures raises questions about the readiness of the ship’s crew and equipment. The Navy has not yet provided an official explanation for the string of incidents, but officials have acknowledged the need for a full review of the Truman’s operational safety.
The Truman was initially scheduled to return home in April 2025 after completing its deployment, but the U.S. Department of Defense decided to extend the ship’s mission to ensure the continued protection of shipping lanes in the region. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that another carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, would be deployed to the area to bolster the military presence in the region. This decision to extend the Truman’s mission and send in an additional carrier highlights the strategic importance of securing the Red Sea and nearby maritime routes.
In response to the growing tensions with Houthi rebels, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region. President Donald Trump recently announced that the U.S. would halt bombing missions targeting the Houthis after the group agreed to stand down. However, senior Houthi officials have indicated that they are not yet ready to fully commit to the ceasefire, stating that they need more time to evaluate the U.S.-proposed terms. As the situation remains tense, the presence of the USS Harry S. Truman and other U.S. military assets will likely continue to play a key role in maintaining stability in the region.
Despite the setbacks aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, the ship remains a critical asset in the Navy’s efforts to ensure security in the Red Sea and the broader Middle East region. As more details continue to emerge about the recent incidents, naval officials are expected to implement additional safety measures to prevent further mishaps and protect the lives of the crew. Meanwhile, the Navy will likely face increasing scrutiny as it addresses the challenges of operating in such a complex and high-risk environment.
For now, the focus will remain on assessing the damage caused by the latest fighter jet mishap and ensuring that the pilots who were involved in the ejection are able to recover fully. The loss of another fighter jet is undoubtedly a blow to the Truman’s mission, but it remains to be seen whether this will have any lasting impact on the carrier’s operational effectiveness. As the situation develops, the Navy will continue to monitor the region’s security dynamics and adjust its strategy as necessary. The coming weeks will be critical in determining how the USS Harry S. Truman and its crew will proceed in the face of increasing challenges and potential risks.
