The Downfall of the F/A-18 Super Hornets on USS Harry S. Truman
U.S. Navy Fighter Jet Crashes in the Red Sea
The harrowing tale of two F/A-18 Super Hornet losses from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea within a span of about a month has left quite an impact. These catastrophes, intertwined with the ongoing combat operations against Yemen's Houthi rebels, are a stark reminder of the challenges faced in high-intensity deployments.
First Fiasco (April 28, 2025)
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136's F/A-18E Super Hornet skidded overboard from the carrier as it navigated through the Red Sea. The reason behind this calamity? The ship abruptly altered course to dodge incoming fire from the Houthi forces. During this rapid maneuver, the carrier's quick turn caused the plane and the tug towing it on deck to go overboard. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but a crew member suffered a minor injury [1].
Second Setback (June 24, 2025)
Another F/A-18E Super Hornet met its end, plummeting into the Red Sea after slipping off the hangar deck of the USS Harry S. Truman. The crew maneuvering the aircraft inside the hangar bay lost control of both the plane and the tow tractor, leading them to slide off the ship. Remarkably, the pilot, the tow operator, and all crew members managed to escape unharmed, except for a minor injury sustained by one sailor [2]. This incident is under investigation, and the fate of the $60 million aircraft remains uncertain, as recovery efforts may prove challenging.
The Deployment's Turmoil
The USS Harry S. Truman's recent deployment in the Red Sea has been characterized by a high operational tempo akin to the World War II era, involving continuous airstrikes against the Houthi rebels. The combination of sustained combat pressure, evasive maneuvers, and maintaining a high operational tempo likely contributed to the accidents [3][4].
A Brief Overview
- The first mishap originated from the ship's evasive maneuvers to avoid enemy fire, ultimately causing the jet to slide off the deck during a turn.
- The second incident came about due to the loss of control of the aircraft during towing inside the hangar deck.
- Both crashes serve as a grim portrait of the trying operational environment and the high tempo of the USS Harry S. Truman's deployment amid combative operations against Houthi forces [1][2][3][4].
[1] Navy Times[2] CNN[3] US Naval Institute News[4] Defense News
- The harrowing incidents involving the F/A-18 Super Hornets, belonging to the USS Harry S. Truman, in the Red Sea, have raised concerns within the aerospace and general-news industries, with finance and insurance sectors closely monitoring these events.
- The cockpit crews of the lost aircrafts, F/A-18E Super Hornets, are currently under scrutiny in the ongoing investigations following two separate accidents in April and June of 2025, during the aircraft's deployment in the Red Sea.
- The jet's industry experts are analyzing the accidents, attributing them to the challenging flying conditions, high operational tempo, and evasive maneuvers in the combat environment, akin to the intensity seen during World War II.
- The investments lost due to these two wrecked F/A-18 Super Hornets, worth approximately $120 million, have posed a significant challenge for the industry, especially with the research and development expenses involved in producing these high-tech aircrafts.
- The incidents in the Red Sea have brought forth the critical need for improved aircraft handling, safety protocols, and accident prevention measures within the jet industry, particularly in high-intensity combat deployments.
