No American planes were lost to enemy action, but a Wildcat from "Kitkun Bay" was lost as aircraft were recovered following the attack. By 20:26, "Kitkun Bay" had already recovered all but one of its fighters. However, the last fighter to be recovered came in too low, and its tailhook hit a metal handrail, bending it into a sharp V. This impact and sudden deacceleration might have stunned the pilot, and as the plane continued forwards, it keeled off starboard, just behind the ship's island, plunging into the ocean. Despite a destroyer searching throughout the night, nothing was recovered.