A $60 million US fighter jet crashed into the Red Sea during a failed landing that injured two pilots and marked the second pricey plane the US Navy has lost to the sea in less than 10 days, according to a report.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet experienced an “arrestment failure” as it attempted to land on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, CNN reported.
The two pilots successfully ejected from the warplane before it crashed into the water and were recovered alive by a rescue helicopter, according to the report. They were treated for minor injuries.
The Super Hornet remains in the Red Sea, the report stated.
Just last Monday, a $56 million F/A-18 fighter jet rolled off the USS Truman as the massive carrier performed an evasive maneuver to avoid incoming fire from Houthi rebels.
The expensive jet was being towed out of a hangar at the time of the defensive maneuver.
The pilot in that fighter jet was not injured in the accident.
Houthi rebels in Yemen have repeatedly fired upon the USS Truman, including as recently as Tuesday, according to CNN.
However, President Trump revealed later the same day that the Houthis have capitulated and have agreed to a ceasefire in the Red Sea.
“They just don’t want to fight. And we will honor that, and we will stop the bombings, and they have capitulated, but more importantly, we will take their word [when] they say they will not be blowing up ships anymore,” Trump said at a news conference Tuesday.
The deal was secured by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to Axios.
Since March, the US has hit at least 800 targets in Yemen and killed hundreds of Houthi rebels, according to the US Central Command.
Back in February, the USS Truman collided with a merchant ship off the coast of Egypt. The commanding officer of the nuclear-powered ship was pulled from his position days later.
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