### Fighter Jet Mishaps: A Troubling Trend for the USS Harry S. Truman - On May 7, 2025, an F/A-18 fighter jet went overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier while attempting to land in the Red Sea, resulting in the pilots ejecting safely. This incident marks the second such mishap involving the carrier in less than ten days, raising concerns about operational safety and the reliability of landing procedures on the vessel. The pilots were rescued with minor injuries, but the loss of the aircraft adds to a series of recent incidents that have marred the deployment of the Truman [https://www.newdelhitimes.com/fighter-jet-goes-overboard-from-uss-harry-s-truman-yemens-houthis-assess-sanaa-airport-damage]. ### Breakdown of Recent Incidents and Context 1. **Incident Overview**: - The F/A-18 fighter jet failed to land properly on the USS Harry S. Truman, leading to it tipping off the flight deck and plunging into the Red Sea [https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/may/08/us-fighter-jet-falls-into-red-sea]. - This is the second fighter jet lost from the Truman in just over a week, with the previous incident occurring on April 30, 2025 [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/another-fighter-jet-lost-sea-falling-harry-s-truman-aircraft-carrier-rcna205266]. 2. **Pilot Safety**: - Both pilots successfully ejected before the jet went overboard and were subsequently rescued by a helicopter, sustaining only minor injuries [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/07/nation/another-navy-jet-falls-into-sea-marking-fourth-major-mishap-months]. 3. **Operational Concerns**: - The USS Harry S. Truman has faced multiple mishaps recently, with this incident marking the fourth major operational failure in recent months [https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/why-104m-us-jets-keep-tumbling-into-the-sea-20250508-p5lxhg]. - The repeated failures raise questions about the effectiveness of the arrestment devices used to catch landing aircraft, which may be contributing to these incidents [https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/05/07/fighter-jet-landing-uss-harry-s-truman-aircraft-carrier-goes-overboard-forcing-pilots-eject]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Recent Incidents**: - April 30, 2025: First F/A-18 jet lost from USS Truman. - May 7, 2025: Second F/A-18 jet lost, marking a troubling trend. - **Pilot Recovery**: - Both pilots from the May 7 incident were rescued with minor injuries, indicating effective emergency protocols [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/07/world/fighter-jet-landing-aircraft-carrier-goes-overboard]. ### Conclusion: A Call for Review and Improvement 1. **Summary of Findings**: - The USS Harry S. Truman has experienced two significant fighter jet losses in a short span, highlighting potential issues with landing procedures and safety protocols. - The successful ejection and recovery of pilots indicate that while safety measures are in place, the frequency of these incidents necessitates a thorough review of operational practices. 2. **Recommendations**: - A comprehensive investigation into the landing systems and procedures on the USS Harry S. Truman is essential to prevent future mishaps. - Enhanced training and maintenance protocols may be required to ensure the safety of both aircraft and personnel [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3374508-fa-18-overboard-carrier-mishap-amid-yemen-ceasefire-developments].