A US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet slipped off an aircraft carrier and sank into the Red Sea as the ship was making a hard turn, possibly to avoid fire from Houthi forces, according to reports.
The $56 million warplane was lost, but the pilot made it out alive.
The jet was being towed out of a hangar on Monday on the USS Harry S. Truman when the carrier suddenly shifted, and the tractor pulling it lost control, sending both the jet and the vehicle overboard.
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Initial reports from the scene indicated that the Truman made a sudden turn to evade an attack from Houthi rebels, an official told CNN.
The Houthi rebel group claimed on Monday to have launched a drone and missile attack on the aircraft carrier, according to the outlet.
The pilot and the Navy sailor driving the tractor managed to jump free, with only one sustaining a minor injury.
“Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard. An investigation is underway,” the Navy said.
The USS Truman aircraft carrier group has been subjected to constant threats from the Iran-backed terror group in Yemen. It is stationed in the Red Sea to protect commercial shipping in the area, which has been regularly attacked by the Houthis.