Navy fighter jet from Truman aircraft carrier lost in Red Sea, second in one week
For the second time in just over a week, a U.S. Navy fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, a defense official confirmed to Paste BN.
A F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet crashed into the sea while attempting to land on the carrier on May 6, the official said. The two pilots ejected and were safely recovered with minor injuries.
On April 28, another jet fell off the Truman as sailors towed the aircraft into the hangar bay, the Navy said. All personnel were accounted for in that incident and one person sustained a minor injury.
The Truman Carrier Strike Group has been deployed in the Middle East for months to aid strikes against Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen.
Lost Navy fighter jet's arrestment failed
The fighter jet's arrestment failed upon landing — meaning the jet's devices did not properly engage in the landing area. The aircraft went overboard, the official said.
The two pilots on board ejected and were recovered by a rescue helicopter. No flight deck personnel were injured.
In the April 28 incident, the Navy said the crew lost control of the fighter jet before it fell into the Red Sea. The Navy said it launched an investigation into that incident.
An F/A-18 fighter jet can cost $60 million, according to the Naval Air Systems Command.
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Trump announces ceasefire deal with Houthis
News of another lost fighter jet comes just hours after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will immediately end airstrikes on Houthi militants in Yemen.
"We will stop the bombings," Trump announced from the Oval Office. The group also agreed to stop attacking U.S. vessels.
According to Reuters, the ceasefire deal does not include Israel.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Francesca Chambers, Cybele Mayes-Osterman
Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for Paste BN. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.