On Tuesday evening, the United States Navy confirmed that a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet carrier-based fighter was lost in the Red Sea. The jet operated from the nuclear-powered Nimitz-class supercarrier USS Harry S. Truman. 

While the details are still unclear, it is the second fighter to be lost from the warship in just over a week.

CNN cited two sources familiar with the matter who stated that there was an issue with the aircraft’s arrestment system, which is needed to slow the fighter when it lands on the flight deck. The jet crashed into the Red Sea, while both the pilot and Weapons System Officer (WSO) were able to eject from the twin-seat Super Hornet safely, and were recovered by helicopter.

The loss of the Super Hornet follows another that fell off the warship while being towed to the hangar. It reportedly occurred while the carrier endeavored to avoid a Houthi attack. 

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