Overview

• An F/A-18E Super Hornet and its tow tractor fell into the Red Sea from the USS Harry S. Truman on April 28, 2025, during a handling operation on the hangar deck.
• One sailor sustained minor injuries in the incident, while all other personnel involved were safely accounted for.
• The Navy has launched an investigation to determine how the aircraft detached from the tow tractor and went overboard.
• Despite the loss, the USS Harry S. Truman and its remaining aircraft remain fully operational as part of ongoing missions against the Houthi militia in Yemen.
• The incident highlights the logistical and safety challenges of carrier-based aviation, with the lost F/A-18E valued at nearly $70 million.