In a dramatic and potentially deadly incident in the Red Sea, an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet landing aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier went overboard on Tuesday, forcing its two pilots to eject.

Both aviators were safely recovered by helicopter and sustained only minor injuries, according to a U.S. defense official who spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity.

The official reported that the mishap occurred when “the arrestment failed,” referencing the critical tailhook system used to catch the aircraft as it lands on the flight deck.

This system is essential for stopping high-speed jets within the tight confines of a carrier runway.

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The exact cause of the failure remains under investigation, and no injuries were reported among crew members on the flight deck.

This latest incident adds to a troubling series of accidents involving the Truman since its extended deployment in the Red Sea.

The ship has played a central role in supporting U.S. airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have been attacking commercial and military vessels as part of their response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

CNN was the first to report on Tuesday’s event, which marks the second time in less than a year that the Navy has lost an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the Truman.

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In April 2024, another Super Hornet fell into the Red Sea after slipping off the hangar deck. In that instance, both the pilot and a crew member operating a small towing tractor jumped clear and were unharmed.

The Truman has been plagued with incidents during its current mission. In December, a guided-missile cruiser operating in the same area, the USS Gettysburg, accidentally shot down an F/A-18 after responding to multiple Houthi drone and missile threats.

Thankfully, the pilots involved in that case also survived. Just two months later, in February, the Truman collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, further complicating its already challenging deployment.

Currently operating out of Norfolk, Virginia, the Truman has had its deployment extended repeatedly due to ongoing instability in the region. It has recently been joined by the USS Carl Vinson, another aircraft carrier now stationed in the Arabian Sea, to bolster U.S. naval presence.

The incident comes amid shifting dynamics in the conflict with the Houthis.

On Tuesday, both U.S. President Donald Trump and Oman’s foreign minister announced that a ceasefire had been reached with the Houthi rebels. According to them, the rebels have agreed to stop targeting ships transiting the Red Sea corridor.

However, the Houthis have yet to publicly acknowledge or confirm this ceasefire.

Despite those diplomatic statements, the region remains unstable. On the same day, Israeli airstrikes struck Sanaa International Airport in Yemen’s rebel-controlled capital, causing massive destruction.

Khaled al-Shaif, director of the airport, told the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite channel that the terminal had been destroyed and the runway left cratered. He estimated total damage at $500 million.

“At least six passenger planes were struck, including three belonging to Yemenia Airways, the country’s flag-carrying airline,” al-Shaif stated.

With only one aircraft left in operation — spared because it had departed for Amman earlier that day — Yemenia’s capacity to serve the nation has been critically impaired. “The airport is now out of service,” al-Shaif confirmed.

The broader conflict in the Red Sea has severely impacted global trade. Since November 2023, Houthi forces have launched over 100 missile and drone attacks on commercial and military vessels, sinking two ships and killing four sailors.

These assaults have disrupted a vital maritime corridor that handles approximately $1 trillion in goods annually.

Although the Houthis paused their attacks in early 2025 as part of a self-declared ceasefire, the United States responded with a widespread military campaign in mid-March, reigniting tensions.

The continued deployment of U.S. naval forces, including the Truman and Vinson, underscores the seriousness with which the Pentagon is treating the situation.

As the Navy investigates the failure of the arrestment system on the Truman, concerns are mounting over operational strain and mechanical reliability during extended deployments in high-stress environments.

Each F/A-18 Super Hornet lost represents not just a significant financial loss — with a price tag of around $60 million — but also a stark reminder of the risks involved in carrier-based operations, especially during active conflict zones.

With no clear end in sight to regional tensions, the U.S. Navy continues to navigate a volatile maritime theater where both human error and enemy aggression test the limits of modern military operations.

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