Another US Navy fighter jet, an F/A-18 Super Hornet operating from the USS Harry S. Truman, has gone down in the Red Sea, marking the second such incident in just over a week. This is also the third loss of this type since the US military increased its operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Sources indicate the aircraft went into the sea after an issue during landing on the aircraft carrier. The pilot and weapons officer ejected before the crash. CNN was the first to report the incident on Tuesday, citing inside sources.
“The landing system failed, causing the aircraft to go overboard. Both aviators ejected safely and were rescued by a helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 11,” a defense official told USNI News. “The aviators were checked by medical personnel and sustained minor injuries. No flight deck personnel were hurt.”
Reportedly, the incident happened on the same day the Houthi rebel group fired at the Truman, though it’s not confirmed if the two events are related. An official investigation has begun, but the Navy hasn’t yet officially verified the details.
Last week, another F/A-18 from the Truman fell into the sea while dodging incoming Houthi missiles. In December, an F/A-18 was accidentally shot down by the USS Gettysburg after launching from the Truman for bombing runs targeting Houthi positions in Yemen.
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