Image Credentials: Image Title: Second U.S. Navy Super Hornet Lost in Red Sea Amid Rising Tensions Source: (Grok, xAI) Date: May 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (Grok, xAI), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
May 7, 2025
Red Sea — For the second time in just over a week, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has been lost in the Red Sea, according to five sources familiar with the matter, intensifying concerns about operational safety and regional instability.
The latest incident occurred as the jet was attempting to land on the Truman’s flight deck, when it reportedly suffered an “arrestment failure,” two sources told CNN. The pilot and weapons systems officer were forced to eject and were later rescued by helicopter. Both are alive and sustained only minor injuries, according to one source.
The jet plunged into the Red Sea and has not yet been recovered.
The cause of the malfunction remains under investigation. Naval aviation experts say arresting gear failures—when the jet’s tailhook fails to catch the wire that slows it down—are rare but potentially catastrophic. This marks the second crash from the Truman in just over a week, an unusual pattern that has raised questions within the Pentagon.
Another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week. wtf is going on and where is Hegseth? pic.twitter.com/5eLC1xkqBz
— DQ 🛼🛼🪩🎖️ (@D4nciingQueen) May 7, 2025
The incident came on the same day that the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen reportedly “took a shot” at the USS Harry S. Truman, according to four sources. It is unclear what weapon system was used or whether the attempt posed a serious threat. No injuries or damage to the carrier were reported.
President Donald Trump had earlier in the day announced what appeared to be a ceasefire agreement with the Houthis, making the alleged attack particularly provocative. Neither the Pentagon nor Central Command has officially linked the crash to the hostile act.
“We are treating the incidents separately until investigations conclude otherwise,” a U.S. Navy official said under condition of anonymity. “Our focus remains on the safety of our personnel and ensuring readiness in the region.”
The Red Sea has become increasingly volatile in recent months, with U.S. forces maintaining a high-profile presence amid ongoing tensions with Iran and its proxies. The Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, has been operating in the region as part of Washington’s efforts to secure international shipping routes and deter Houthi aggression in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Analysts say that even if the incidents are unrelated, the timing adds pressure to an already delicate security environment in the region.
“This is a stark reminder of the risk U.S. forces face in these waters—not just from enemy action, but from the inherent dangers of carrier operations,” said Rear Admiral (Ret.) Stephen Morrison, a military analyst.
The Navy has launched formal inquiries into both the crash and the reported attack, with more information expected in the coming days.