The accident occurred during fighter handling operations. One crewmember suffered minor injuries. An investigation has been launched

An F/A-18E "Super Hornet" fighter aircraft from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 embarked on the "USS Harry S. Truman" (CVN 75) aircraft carrier, accidentally slipped yesterday into the sea while the naval unit was operating in the Red Sea. This was reported in an official statement from the US Navy issued yesterday from Manama, Bahrain. According to what was reported, the accident occurred while the aircraft was being towed into the hangar. During the maneuver, the personnel in charge lost control of the aircraft causing it to fall into the water together with the towing vehicle.

The sailors involved in the operation reacted promptly, managing to move away from the plane before it crashed into the sea. However, one soldier suffered minor injuries. The US Navy assured that all personnel were promptly located and that the conditions of the injured sailor were not cause for concern. An investigation was also immediately launched to determine the causes of the incident.

The release also states that the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and its embarked air group remain fully operational. In addition to the flagship, the strike group includes the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 1, three guided missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 28, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64).

No further details are available at this time about the incident, nor is it clear whether recovery operations will be undertaken for the aircraft, which is estimated to cost around 60 million dollars. Foreign sources close to the US Navy emphasize that such incidents, although rare, are a reminder of the risks associated with complex operations on a flight deck in an operational environment.