April-May’s F-18 jet losses exacerbated by combat conditions, lacking communication, US Navy finds

The US Navy found that the F-18 fighter jet that tipped off the flight deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on May 6 was caused by limited knowledge, insufficient training, and combat conditions contributing to a strained environment, the navy announced on Thursday.

While the jet was lost due to the failure of an arresting wire, the navy found that the wire failed due to inadequate maintenance practices, limited knowledge, low manning levels, and a high operational tempo.

No injuries occurred in the incident, the navy affirmed on Thursday.

Both crew members ejected before the jet plunged into the water, and were recovered by a rescue helicopter.

The navy also published findings into three other incidents that affected the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group’s deployment to the Red Sea from September 2024 to May 2025 as part of a mission to counter the threat of Houthi terrorists.

The other incidents investigated were a friendly fire incident involving the USS Gettysburg on December 22, 2024, the USS Harry S Truman colliding with a merchant vessel on February 12, 2025, and the loss of another F-18 on April 28, 2025.

The navy’s public statement on all four incidents was heavily redacted, Washington-based military reporters have noted.

One sailor sustained minor wounds during the attack, the navy confirmed at the time.

The sailor was reportedly in the cockpit of the jet but jumped out before it went overboard, an official told CNN at the time.

The ship undertook standard operating procedures during the incident, and the crew’s “quick thinking and resourcefulness prevented any personnel injuries or further damage,” the navy’s investigation found.

However, the jet was lost in part due to an aircraft brake system failure, which was compounded by insufficient communication between the vessel’s bridge, flight deck control, and hangar bay control, the navy noted.

Carl Schuster, a former navy captain told CNN shortly after the incident that arriers often rely on a ‘zig-zag’ tactic to avoid missiles.

“You typically do a series of alternating 30- to 40-degree turns. Each takes about 30 seconds each way, but the turn starts sharply. It is like riding in a zig-zagging car,” Schuster said. “The ship leans about 10 to 15 degrees into the turn, but it displaces the ship about 100 to 200 yards from any likely aim point” if the ship is moving at maximum speed.”

One of the pilots suffered from minor injuries in the incident, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced at the time.

The incident was caused by a “lack of integrated training opportunities” between the ship and the carrier strike group, the navy’s investigation found.

A lack of forceful backup and a lack of cohesion also contributed to the misidentification, and subsequent firing upon, the friendly aircraft, as well as nearly missing another, the navy added.

The investigation found that the collision was avoidable, as the bridge team failed to safely navigate past the merchant vessel.

The navy removed the ship’s commander from his position following the incident due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jim Kilby affirmed the navy’s commitment to “learning from these events and implementing changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

“The Navy is committed to being a learning organization,” Kilby said. “These investigations reinforce the need to continue investing in our people to ensure we deliver battle-ready forces to operational commanders. Despite the challenges, the Sailors of the Harry S. Truman Strike Group demonstrated adaptability, professionalism, and complete commitment to the mission throughout the deployment.”

“The Navy’s sustained combat operations in CENTCOM’s area of operations for the past two years demonstrated our battle effectiveness and ability to maintain freedom of navigation,” Kilby added. “As we reflect on these incidents and ongoing improvement efforts, the Navy remains laser-focused on producing battle-ready Sailors and forces to ensure the Navy provides our nation with the most lethal, combat-credible, and ready force possible.”