An F/A-18C “Hornet” from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, the “Gladiators”, caught fire on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) last night while parked forward of the island during refueling.
The fire was immediately extinguished by the ship’s flight deck firefighting team.
The pilot of the aircraft ejected and landed on the flight deck. The pilot received medical treatment by the ship’s medical department before being transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, North Carolina, for further treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
A Sailor assigned to the ship also sustained non-life threatening injuries from the incident and was also transported to the same location for treatment.
An investigation to determine the cause of the mishap has begun.
USS Harry S. Truman is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting carrier flight operations.
Image: US Navy