F/A‑18 jet overboard: Harry S. Truman's ongoing woes in Red Sea
The F/A-18 fighter jet, which had just landed on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, went overboard, as reported by a representative from the U.S. Department of Defense to the AP agency.
The F/A-18 fighter jet, after landing on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, unexpectedly went overboard, forcing its two pilots to eject, according to a statement quoted from the U.S. Department of Defense by CNN. The accident happened on Tuesday, May 6. The pilots were rescued by a helicopter. Both are alive, though they sustained minor injuries.
CNN, citing two sources, reported that the aircraft crashed into the sea and has not yet been recovered.
According to CNN, the incident was likely caused by a malfunction in the device used to catch the airplane during landing on the carrier. This is not the first such case recently. The previous incident took place on April 29, when an F/A-18E Super Hornet slid into the sea from the same carrier's deck. One person was injured, and the U.S. military lost a machine worth about $60 million.
Numerous problems of the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier
The American aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman is stationed in the Red Sea as part of the U.S. offensive against Yemeni Houthi rebels. As highlighted by CNN, the carrier has faced numerous issues since its deployment in the area. In December, one of the F/A-18 fighters on a mission from the Truman was "mistakenly fired upon" by the USS Gettysburg and crashed into the Red Sea. Both pilots safely ejected.
Furthermore, in February of this year, the Truman was involved in a collision with a commercial ship near Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea. After this incident, the commander of the Truman, Captain Dave Snowden, was relieved of his duties. Captain Christopher Hill took over the command of the carrier.
