Fighter Plane Lost Overboard from US Navy Aircraft Carrier

An F/A-18E Super Hornet and towing tractor that fell into the sea from aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman may have been lost during manoeuvres to evade a Houthi attack, reports have suggested.

As per a U.S. Navy press statement yesterday (Monday), Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman “lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 and a tow tractor.”

The statement read: “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.”

Accounts suggest the $60m plane and the tractor towing it both fell into the sea and sank, with sailors jumping clear. The statement added one sailor received a “minor injury” during the incident, which happened while the ship was on patrol in the Red Sea.

Media reports have quoted an unnamed official who remarked that early reports from the scene suggested a contributory factor to the accident was that the carrier had made a hard turn to evade Houthi fire.

Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed they launched a drone and missile attack against the carrier; vessels trying to avoid a missile attack often use sharp zigzag turning tactics, causing them to lean sharply.

The U.S. Navy statement added: “The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and embarked air wing remain fully mission capable.”

As well as the flagship aircraft carrier with its embarked air wing, the strike group also includes guided-missile destroyers USS Stout and USS Jason Dunham and cruiser USS Gettysburg.

• You can read the official U.S. Navy statement here