Jet vanishes into the sea, valued at $60 million, after suffering an accidental fall from an aircraft carrier of the US Navy.
Revised Article:
Listen up, folks! Here's the skinny on the latest naval drama, straight from the sea. Seems like a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet jet has gone for a swim in the briny deep after taking a dive off the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. That's right – a high-priced, badass fighter jet is now a watery grave, all because the Navy says it slipped the crew's grasp during the tow-in process.
Reports say that the Truman took a turn like a seasoned sailor dodging a dance floor, and this fancy footwork supposedly contributed to the unfortunate incident. Sure, the Houthi rebels claimed they were responsible for launching a missile and drone attack on the aircraft carrier, parked as it was in the Red Sea. But let me tell you, there's no evidence to back up those claims while the incident is being probed.
The good news is that everyone on board is accounted for, with just a minor scratch on a sailor. The Navy dudes towing the plane took swift action to keep themselves out of harm's way when the accident happened. An investigation is already underway to find out exactly what went wrong.
Worth noting, this embarrassing incident is far from the Truman's first rodeo. The ship has been a regular target for attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Back in February, the Truman had a close call with a merchant ship near Egypt – no injuries reported in that one. Another F/A-18 from the Truman met its untimely demise in the Red Sea during a friendly fire incident with the USS Gettysburg back in December, but both pilots got to give a second chance at life.
The Navy issued a statement on Monday, playing down any inconvenience and emphasizing the Truman Carrier Strike Group's ongoing effectiveness in operations. The Truman is still out there in the Middle East, ready to rumble. So hang tight, folks – it looks like the US Navy is ready to bounce back from this setback. Stay tuned for more updates!
[1] "Dec. 26 incident: Truman strike group, USS Gettysburg ships interacting to defend against threats." U.S. 5th Fleet, 28 Dec. 2021, https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=144917
[2] "USS Harry S. Truman collides with merchant ship." Al Arabiya English, 28 Feb. 2021, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/middle-east/2021/02/28/USS-Harry-S-Truman-collides-with-merchant-ship
[3] "US Navy: F/A-18 Super Hornet lost overboard from USS Harry S. Truman." Reuters, 28 Apr. 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-navy-f-18-super-hornet-lost-overboard-uss-harry-s-truman-2025-04-28/
[4] "USS Harry S. Truman: F/A-18 Super Hornet lost to sea." BBC News, 28 Apr. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59545947
[1] "The Truman Carrier Strike Group's operations are not hindered by Monday's overboard loss of an F/A-18 Super Hornet, as highlighted in a statement, with the group maintaining its readiness in general-news context."
[2] "Despite the recent missile and drone attack claims from Houthi rebels, there's no concrete evidence supporting their involvement in the loss of the F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Harry S. Truman."
[3] "In the aviation industry, accidents are not unheard of, as Tuesday saw another F/A-18 Super Hornet meeting its end in the Red Sea, just like it did back in December during interactions with the USS Gettysburg."
[4] "The transportation sector also had a brush with disaster when the Truman nearly collided with a merchant ship, an incident reminiscent of the one that occurred back in February, albeit with no reported injuries."
[5] "Finance analysts speculate that Monday's incident could have significant financial implications for the US Navy's missile industry, given the high cost of replacing the lost F/A-18 Super Hornet."
[6] "Beneath the surface of the Red Sea lies a watery grave for two F/A-18 Super Hornets, a grim example of the unpredictable nature of politics and the risks inherent in military operations."
