According to official Navy sources, the aircraft, assigned to strike fighter squadron VFA-136, was being moved when it unexpectedly broke free from crew control. The jet, still attached to its tow tractor, slid toward the edge and plunged into the sea.
The mishap happened near an opening in the hangar wall leading to an external lift that transports aircraft to the flight deck. Standard procedures require either a pilot or mechanic to be inside the cockpit during such movements to apply brakes in emergencies, but for reasons yet unknown, the aircraft did not stop.
Fortunately, nearby sailors were able to jump clear in time, with only one crew member sustaining minor injuries. “An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances that led to this event,” the Navy said in a statement.
Despite the loss of the aircraft and tow vehicle, the carrier strike group’s operational capabilities remain unaffected. The USS Harry S. Truman continues its deployment in the Red Sea alongside nine embarked air squadrons, three guided missile destroyers, and the cruiser USS Gettysburg.
