Source: BBC Chinese Web

In just eight days, a second American fighter jet has fallen into the Red Sea. US officials said this fighter jet fell from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet fell into the sea on Tuesday (May 7) while attempting to land on the flight deck of the "Truman". A senior official told the BBC's US partner CBS News that it was due to operational error.

The two crew members ejected and sustained minor injuries in the accident. Each of these fighters is reportedly worth about $67 million (GBP 50 million).

"Both pilots safely ejected and were rescued by a helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Combat Squadron (HSC) 11," the official told CBS.

This incident occurred after another Super Hornet fell into the same area last Monday.

According to the US Navy's statement, at that time, the plane was being towed inside the hangar, and the operators lost control of the aircraft. One sailor was slightly injured, and the tractor towing the aircraft was also pulled into the water.

Officials said that the arresting system failed during the second incident - referring to the cables used to help fighter jets decelerate upon landing.

The accidents are still under investigation, and the planes have not yet been salvaged.

US officials told CBS that the aircraft may have fallen into the sea when the aircraft carrier made an emergency turn to avoid an attack by Houthi rebels supported by Iran.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump announced that if the Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, the US will cease attacks on the Houthis.

During the deployment of the "Truman" in the Red Sea, several accidents have occurred, including last December when the USS Gettysburg mistakenly struck another F/A-18 fighter jet taking off from the aircraft carrier. Both crew members survived.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7502248441071665704/

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