F/A-18E super hornet lost at Sea: U.S. navy probes $67M accident amid rising tensions with Houthis
Pranjal Chandra | Apr 29, 2025, 15:50 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
A $67 million F/A-18E Super Hornet was lost overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea during routine handling, prompting a formal investigation. The incident occurred as the aircraft was being towed, with one sailor sustaining minor injuries.
A high-stakes accident has rocked U.S. naval operations in the Red Sea, as a $67 million F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet was lost overboard from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. The aircraft, along with the tow tractor moving it, plunged into the sea on Monday while under routine handling on the ship’s hangar deck, the U.S. Navy confirmed in a statement released from its regional base in Bahrain.
The incident is under formal investigation, with early reports indicating the jet was being maneuvered into position when the towing crew lost control. One sailor suffered a minor injury in the chaos that followed, but the rest of the crew escaped unscathed as they scrambled to clear the area.
While the Navy has not directly linked the accident to any external threat, the timing has sparked speculation, especially in light of claims from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. In a statement issued Monday, the Iran-backed militia asserted that it had launched a series of ballistic and cruise missiles targeting the Truman and other U.S. warships in the Red and Arabian Seas. Though the Navy has yet to confirm any direct attack or damage, the claims have raised concerns about escalating regional tensions.
“The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft,” the Navy’s statement read. “Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard.”
The mishap comes amid a wave of Houthi retaliatory actions following U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. One such strike reportedly hit a detention facility housing African migrants, allegedly killing at least 68 people and injuring dozens more, according to Houthi sources. A separate strike in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, further intensified the backlash. The Houthi spokesperson pledged continued attacks on American naval assets until what they described as "aggression against Yemen" ceases.
Although unconfirmed by U.S. military officials, the timing of these missile launches raises the possibility that operational disruptions aboard the Truman, such as hurried maneuvers or security responses, may have contributed indirectly to the jet’s loss.
The USS Harry S. Truman forms the core of a powerful Carrier Strike Group, which includes nine squadrons under Carrier Air Wing 1, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, and three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 28. Despite the accident, the Navy emphasized that its air wing remains “fully mission capable.”
Built by Boeing, the F/A-18E Super Hornet has been a staple of U.S. naval aviation since its introduction in 2001. Designed for both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions, the versatile fighter is also operated by Australia and Kuwait. With a unit cost of approximately $67 million, the loss marks one of the more costly non-combat incidents in recent naval history.
Aircraft towing on carriers is a routine but highly precise operation, especially in a hangar bay where space is at a premium. Any miscalculation, mechanical failure, or sudden shift in ship motion can have serious consequences.
The Harry S. Truman, a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class supercarrier, spans over 1,000 feet in length and supports up to 85 aircraft. Its massive flight deck roughly 4.5 acres in size serves as the nerve center of U.S. military air operations in the region.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain: Was this an isolated operational mishap, or did broader security threats play a role? Regardless, the incident underscores the inherent risks of managing advanced military technology in high-pressure, high-conflict zones.
The incident is under formal investigation, with early reports indicating the jet was being maneuvered into position when the towing crew lost control. One sailor suffered a minor injury in the chaos that followed, but the rest of the crew escaped unscathed as they scrambled to clear the area.
While the Navy has not directly linked the accident to any external threat, the timing has sparked speculation, especially in light of claims from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. In a statement issued Monday, the Iran-backed militia asserted that it had launched a series of ballistic and cruise missiles targeting the Truman and other U.S. warships in the Red and Arabian Seas. Though the Navy has yet to confirm any direct attack or damage, the claims have raised concerns about escalating regional tensions.
“The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft,” the Navy’s statement read. “Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard.”
The mishap comes amid a wave of Houthi retaliatory actions following U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. One such strike reportedly hit a detention facility housing African migrants, allegedly killing at least 68 people and injuring dozens more, according to Houthi sources. A separate strike in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, further intensified the backlash. The Houthi spokesperson pledged continued attacks on American naval assets until what they described as "aggression against Yemen" ceases.
Although unconfirmed by U.S. military officials, the timing of these missile launches raises the possibility that operational disruptions aboard the Truman, such as hurried maneuvers or security responses, may have contributed indirectly to the jet’s loss.
The USS Harry S. Truman forms the core of a powerful Carrier Strike Group, which includes nine squadrons under Carrier Air Wing 1, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, and three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 28. Despite the accident, the Navy emphasized that its air wing remains “fully mission capable.”
Built by Boeing, the F/A-18E Super Hornet has been a staple of U.S. naval aviation since its introduction in 2001. Designed for both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions, the versatile fighter is also operated by Australia and Kuwait. With a unit cost of approximately $67 million, the loss marks one of the more costly non-combat incidents in recent naval history.
Aircraft towing on carriers is a routine but highly precise operation, especially in a hangar bay where space is at a premium. Any miscalculation, mechanical failure, or sudden shift in ship motion can have serious consequences.
The Harry S. Truman, a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class supercarrier, spans over 1,000 feet in length and supports up to 85 aircraft. Its massive flight deck roughly 4.5 acres in size serves as the nerve center of U.S. military air operations in the region.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain: Was this an isolated operational mishap, or did broader security threats play a role? Regardless, the incident underscores the inherent risks of managing advanced military technology in high-pressure, high-conflict zones.