Aircraft carrier on fire

[Uncle Fester]

Had an A4 trap aboard in the middle of the "pull forward" preparing for next launch...Fresnel lens system on, no paddles on platform (they were enroute)...A4 driver (O-4) doing practice CCA's lands, #3 wire...pilot OK, but all hell breaks loose...

Okay, I know things were a bit more casual around the Boat Back in the Day, but how in the hell did a screw-up that epic happen?

 

[rondebmar]

Okay, I know things were a bit more casual around the Boat Back in the Day, but how in the hell did a screw-up that epic happen?

Well...first of all, things weren't quite that casual around the boat...or anywhere else, for that matter. We flew by a set of regs, rules, prohibitions, etc. probably much like today...

It's late, and I'm tired...but here are my random thoughts/recalls...

Set up for the disaster began like this...at least one A4 division spent the cycle shooting a series of CCA's...probably from marshal to groove...pilot involved (the division leader) was on an approach at about the scheduled Charlie time...probably expecting to trap...IIRC, final report placed majority of fault on PriFly...after all, centerline lights were on, lens was in operation...etc. Paddles were on the roof, on the way to platform to prepare for the scheduled recovery...knew what was about to occur, dove for the pickle switch...didn't make it. I think the Air Boss was removed...a/c sat at runout of wire in the debris field at 100% power...pilot in shock or injured...crew had to remove/open the canopy to kill the engine, remove pilot...sailor killed was a plane captain or aircraft handler...saw the landing was about to occur, stood in landing area frantically waving his wands in futile waveoff attempt...why did pilot continue approach to landing if no response to "Ball" call...BTW...all CAG pilots were privy to the final accident report conclusions...some of the above I recall from that.

Hell, I was a lowly Ens, on my first cruise, just out of RAG...devoting most of my energy to simple survival!!
Was a tough cruise...lost two guys the first launch of the cruise, shortly after passing "The Rock"...including friend & squadron mate Lt Jg Jimmy T...

Mind is a funny thing...I recalled the Rank & first name of pilot involved...at dinner tonight, last name popped into my mind... He was fairly well known for a previous popular billet...based at P'Cola. Googled him up...almost certain I got the right guy...he recently passed away...

G'Nite...:sleep_125:sleep_125