US Navy Loses $60 Million Fighter Jet After Incident Aboard Aircraft Carrier

[Social Media]

 

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US Navy Loses $60 Million Fighter Jet After Incident Aboard Aircraft Carrier

 

A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet was lost at sea after falling overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, according to a Navy statement issued Monday. The incident occurred while the jet was being towed inside the hangar bay.

 

A US official reported that the USS Truman had made a sudden and sharp turn in an attempt to evade incoming fire from Houthi forces, which contributed to the loss of the aircraft. On the same day, the Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for launching a drone and missile assault targeting the carrier. The USS Truman is currently operating in the Red Sea as part of a major US military campaign against Houthi threats.

 

Despite the dramatic loss, the Navy confirmed that all personnel were safe, though one sailor did sustain a minor injury during the incident. "The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard," the Navy stated. They added, "Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard. An investigation is underway."

 

 

Another US official revealed to CNN that the Super Hornet had sunk after falling into the sea. The financial impact is significant, with each F/A-18 fighter jet carrying a price tag exceeding $60 million, according to Navy figures.

 

At the time of the incident, the Truman Carrier Strike Group was deployed in the Middle East and actively operating in the Red Sea. In its statement, the Navy reassured that despite the loss, "the strike group and its air wing remain fully mission capable."

 

The USS Harry S. Truman has been a frequent target for the Iran-backed Houthis operating out of Yemen. The carrier previously made news in February after colliding with a merchant vessel near Egypt, although that incident fortunately resulted in no injuries. Additionally, in a separate mishap last December, another F/A-18 from the Truman was "mistakenly fired" upon and brought down by the USS Gettysburg while operating in the Red Sea. Both pilots involved in that December incident managed to eject safely.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from CNN  2025-04-30

 

 

[blaze master]

One less killing machine. 

[GammaGlobulin]

Wish I had 60 million.

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Despite the dramatic loss, the Navy confirmed that all personnel were safe, though one sailor did sustain a minor injury during the incident. "The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft.

Deleted. My comment was incorrect.  

[Gsxrnz]

You can bet some poor sod is on a fizzer for this. I'd humbly suggest there are procedures in place to prevent jets rolling out the side door during an evasive manoeuvre. 

[Tug]

Oops!heads will roll and careers ruined over that mess!any of you guys ever see the footage of that broken arrow incident back in the 60s?they were practicing for a nuclear response at sea.they armed the aircraft rolled it onto the elevator the pilot jumped into the cockpit,the aircraft rolled over the side the canopy slammed on to the pilots hands trapping him in the cockpit.he went down with the nuclear armed plane…..the pilot was short the crew chief tall the pilot couldn’t reach the brake because the seat was to far aft.he grabbed the top of the canopy in a attempt to reach the brakes…sad ….they were eventually recovered.

[fredwiggy]

10 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Incredible that an aircraft "in the hanger bay" can roll overboard. 

If you look at the picture, aircraft carriers all have a side opening that is level with the decks, where aircraft are stored below deck, where the tractor and plane can fall through............https://www.istockphoto.com/th/รูปถ่าย/ด้านเรือบรรทุกเครื่องบินและมุมมองด้านบนแยกบนสีขาว-gm1130457830-298975958?searchscope=image%2Cfilm

[dinsdale]

16 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

If you look at the picture, aircraft carriers all have a side opening that is level with the decks, where aircraft are stored below deck, where the tractor and plane can fall through............https://www.istockphoto.com/th/รูปถ่าย/ด้านเรือบรรทุกเครื่องบินและมุมมองด้านบนแยกบนสีขาว-gm1130457830-298975958?searchscope=image%2Cfilm

Deleted incorrect comment.

[fredwiggy]

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

It rolled off the deck as the Truman made a very sharp turn due to an incoming missile warning. It was being towed, on deck, so it wasn't tethered down.

I'm going by what was written in the story............"The incident occurred while the jet was being towed inside the hangar bay", which is below deck..

[Tug]

16 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Incredible that an aircraft "in the hanger bay" can roll overboard. 

With the adoption of the angled flight deck and to mitigate possible battle damage (as occurred during ww2) the aircraft elevators are located on the sides.there is also strong ventilation of the hanger decks to mitigate dangerous explosive fumes from building up as again occurred during ww2 on both sides btw bitter deadly experience 

[Celsius]

Worse than Russia 

[dinsdale]

9 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I'm going by what was written in the story............"The incident occurred while the jet was being towed inside the hangar bay", which is below deck..

Correct. My apologies. According to articles I have now seen it was being towed out of the hanger bay.

[Tug]

16 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Worse than Russia 

Haaaa nope

[This Guy]

 "The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft."
Waiting for all the "Only in Thail...." comments.
Oh wait a minute.....

[thesetat]

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

One less killing machine. 

And one less defensive weapon that is needed to protect American lives. 

[Gweiloman]

2 minutes ago, thesetat said:

And one less defensive weapon that is needed to protect American lives. 

American lives won’t need defending if America don’t poke their noses where it’s not wanted.

[Arkie]

Wow.  That 5 weekend golf trips for trump.  

[mikeymike100]

1 hour ago, Gsxrnz said:

You can bet some poor sod is on a fizzer for this. I'd humbly suggest there are procedures in place to prevent jets rolling out the side door during an evasive manoeuvre. 

Quite right, question is will they deduct it from his/her paycheck??😉

[newbee2022]

How much is the finder's reward?😂

[Grumpy one]

I wonder if the sailor will use the famous Thai excuse, Brakes Failed

[bunnydrops]

My stepfather was a Jet-mec on aircraft carriers. Accidents happen all the time, and people get killed. When they return from sea, a book is made similar to the yearbook you would get in high school. It would show lots of photos from the time out. The last page would list all the people who died. That cable you see hooking the planes when they came in was a real danger, as it would break. There were nets placed along side the ship to catch you if you should need to jump over the side. That was a big loss of the plane but maybe you remember the crews pushing planes overboard at the end of the Vietnam war to make way for all the incoming flights.

[Purdey]

Don't misunderstand. That F18 was fired by DOGE as surplus to requirements.

[Yagoda]

50 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

American lives won’t need defending if America don’t poke their noses where it’s not wanted.

Well hopefully your ferocious and aggressive Chinese Communist masters wont start something

[Yagoda]

47 minutes ago, Arkie said:

Wow.  That 5 weekend golf trips for trump.  

A months worth of crack and hookers for Hunter.

[impulse]

2 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

You can bet some poor sod is on a fizzer for this. I'd humbly suggest there are procedures in place to prevent jets rolling out the side door during an evasive manoeuvre. 

 

It's tough to forecast when the Houthis may try one on, using their Iranian Bidenbucks.  That's just the nature of the operations.  There are always going to be times when they're vulnerable. 

 

It's like the guys sitting on the porcelain stainless thrones.  They generally don't code brown, but who can blame them if nature calls just before a Houthi drone strike?

 

[ignore it]

In an effort to decrease Defense Dept. waste and increase combat efficiency Sec Hegseth has issued a directive prohibiting giant cats on aircraft carriers.

[rabas]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

"The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard,"

 

Like the only time an aircraft's wheels are not braked or locked, and it's being towed?

 

When the aircraft carrier is like this?

 

 

 

 

[Moonlover]

3 hours ago, Celsius said:

Worse than Russia 

Really? Russia's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, hasn't put to sea this century!

 

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/will-russias-admiral-kuznetsov-aircraft-carrier-ever-leave-drydock

 

Mind you, this incident is somewhat less embarrassing than the Royal Navy's loss of an F35. Some nerd forgot to remove an engine intake cover during prefight checks.