A United States Navy fighter jet has plunged into the Red Sea after an onboard mishap aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, the Navy confirmed on Monday.
The aircraft, an F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, was being moved within the ship’s hangar bay when the towing crew lost control, resulting in the jet falling overboard. A tow tractor was also lost in the incident.
The Navy stated that all personnel involved were accounted for, with one sailor sustaining a minor injury. Swift action by the crew helped avoid further casualties as they moved clear of the aircraft before it went overboard.
An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the mishap on the flagship carrier, which is named after the 33rd President of the United States.
Despite the incident, the Navy assured that operations remain unaffected. “The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and embarked air wing remain fully mission capable,” the statement said.
The strike group includes the USS Harry S. Truman, nine squadrons from Carrier Air Wing 1, the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), and three guided-missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 28.
