Pilots Eject as F/A-18 Overshoots Truman Carrier/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet crashed into the Red Sea after a failed landing aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, prompting both pilots to eject and suffer minor injuries. The incident is the latest in a series of mishaps during Truman’s extended deployment amid ongoing conflict with Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes devastated Sanaa’s airport as Red Sea tensions escalate.
Red Sea Jet Crash Quick Looks
- F/A-18 Super Hornet crashes during landing attempt on USS Truman.
- Arresting gear system failed, causing the jet to go overboard.
- Both pilots ejected safely and suffered only minor injuries.
- Latest in a string of mishaps involving USS Truman this year.
- Incident occurs amid fragile ceasefire talks with Houthi rebels.
- Israeli airstrikes destroy Sanaa Airport terminal and runway.
- Houthi attacks on shipping have disrupted Red Sea trade since 2023.
Deep Look: U.S. Jet Crashes Off Carrier Amid Rising Tensions in the Red Sea
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jet crashed into the Red Sea after a landing mishap aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, underscoring the mounting strain on American forces operating in the volatile region. The incident, which forced both pilots to eject, is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Truman during its extended deployment supporting U.S. operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The crash occurred Tuesday as the Super Hornet attempted to land on the aircraft carrier following a flight mission. According to a U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the aircraft’s “arrestment” — the system used to safely catch jets on landing — failed, sending the $60 million aircraft off the deck and into the sea.
The pilots successfully ejected and were swiftly rescued by a helicopter crew. Both sustained only minor injuries, and no personnel on the flight deck were harmed during the incident. CNN first reported the crash.
This marks at least the third serious aviation-related mishap tied to the Truman in recent months. In April, another F/A-18 slipped off the hangar deck and plunged into the Red Sea. That aircraft was being towed at the time, and both the pilot and ground crew member escaped without injury. In December, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down a Navy jet in a friendly fire incident while defending against Houthi drone and missile attacks. Both aviators survived.
The Truman also collided with a merchant vessel in February near Port Said, Egypt, raising questions about operational fatigue and the carrier’s continued role in a complex regional conflict.
Based out of Norfolk, Virginia, the USS Harry S. Truman has had its deployment extended multiple times due to escalating Houthi aggression. It has recently been joined by the USS Carl Vinson, broadening U.S. naval presence in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea as part of a coalition to secure vital shipping lanes.
The incident comes just as President Donald Trump and Omani officials announced that a ceasefire had been reached with the Houthis, who have waged a nearly two-year campaign of attacks against commercial and military vessels. The Houthis have yet to publicly confirm the ceasefire and remain active in the region.
Meanwhile, new conflict erupted on another front. Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, on Tuesday, causing significant damage to the city’s international airport. Houthi officials reported the airport’s terminal was destroyed, the runway cratered, and six passenger jets—including three belonging to Yemenia Airways—were damaged or destroyed.
According to Khaled al-Shaif, the head of the airport, only one functional plane remains in service, thanks to its departure earlier in the day to Amman, Jordan. He estimated total damages at over $500 million, and the airport is now considered out of service.
These developments intensify the humanitarian and logistical crises facing Yemen, a country already devastated by years of war and blockade.
The Houthis have said their attacks on shipping are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, framing their campaign as part of a broader resistance against Israel’s military operations. From November 2023 to January 2025, the group targeted over 100 commercial vessels in the Red Sea using drones and missiles, sinking two and killing at least four sailors. These attacks have severely disrupted maritime trade in a region responsible for roughly $1 trillion in annual commerce.
After briefly halting their attacks, the Houthis resumed hostilities following a U.S.-led assault in mid-March. The threat remains high, and the U.S. Navy continues to operate in a hazardous environment where technical failures, enemy fire, and geopolitical uncertainty collide.
While the loss of a single aircraft may seem routine in military terms, it reflects a broader challenge: prolonged deployments, operational stress, and the growing complexity of managing both military engagement and diplomacy in one of the world’s most contested waterways.
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