MORE Aircraft Carrier Crash Lowlights 

My Dad was a Naval Aviator who flew in Korea and Vietnam,and he had a captivating way of telling a true story and making it come to life. He passed in 2008 at 84 years,and I miss his stories a little less because you are sharing the legacy of bravery and sacrifice that are so important to Naval Aviation. Thanks,Commander!🎸✈🖖

I met an A-6 pilot who had an ejection seat handle on his desk. I asked about it and the sea story started “That is all that’s left of a $40M aircraft….”

Most people only see the glorious parts of being a Naval Aviator watching this video really gives you perspective how dangerous the job actually is and how thin the margins are between a perfect landing and becoming a fire ball. Great video Ward.

These pilots have nerves of steel. I am constantly amazed at the bravery and talent it takes to fly an airplane, and land it on a very small landing strip that is bobbing and weaving in the sea. Thanks for this video!

I clicked the “like” button, but “like” really doesn’t capture my reactions to the video or its content. “Sobering” and “respectful” would be more appropriate adjectives. “Like”, in this case, is just RU-vid shorthand for a recommendation to watch the video and appreciate its message.

Good compilation. R.I.P. to those who gave all! Fair winds and following seas.

Navy and Marine Corps pilots are, by far, the best aviators in our military. The skills required to bring these modern-day jets aboard a carrier are unmatched anywhere in the world. I witnessed these pilots with my own eyes many, many years ago and still, to this day, I admire them greatly. Thank you CDR Carroll.

So sad to see some of the crew’s that lost their life’s ☹️🙏 thank you and your family for your service ❤️

Rest In Peace to all who perished in service to our country.

I had recently left VS-22 prior to the EA-6B hitting Vidar706 in the landing area. Luckily the S-3 only had front seaters. Skipper Wallace ended up in the water and the CoTac ended up in the mast on the island. His new call sign? “ Swinger”. I’m a modeler and built a model of Vidar 706 for Skipper Wallace. He teared up when I presented to him. I’m a soul survivor of an S-3 ejection that rolled right off cat 1 in Oct 1989. Currently a 737 pilot out of Miami with American. Skipper Reddinger was the pilot of the nose gear issue that took the barricade. He later became the Commadore of the East Coast SeaStrike Wing. He’s now a County Commissioner in Northeast Florida.

Thank you for sharing these Ward. They help reinstate to anyone who sees them just how dangerous being a Navy fighter pilot can be. It is a reminder to be so very thankful for the hard work, sacrifice, dedication and risk all these crew put in. I thank them all for their service and sacrifices to keep us free and safe. You as well sir.

Hello I am a former USS Midway member i served from November 82 through December 88 I have unfortunately seen a few mishaps during my time on Midway i was there from march 83 to June 86. Three I.O. cruses I appreciate this video it bring back many good as well as bad memories That time always makes me proud of my service It was probably the best times of my life Oh I was a grape .Have a good one

04:56 I was with VMFA-312 on the Enterprise the night that Prowler hit the Viking in the landing area. The S-3 was spun around and into a bunch of Hornets in the six pack. Unfortunatly the aircraft was inverted when the crew tried to punch. We only recovered a partial body of one of the NFO's. One of the worst nights of my life.

That was a tough video to watch. The risks these aviators face are great and their bravery massive. You commentary helpful, and highlighted the risks and the overwhelming courage of these men. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Can’t get myself to like this video but think it needed to be posted. It shows the difficulty and the sacrifices of the naval aviator.

Thanks for bringing us these clips, they show the risks inherent in naval aviation and, as such, reflect on the quality of the men and women who go to sea and fly in the defence of us all. You also deserve commendation for the respectful way that you present the clips, you strike exactly the right tone.

I was stationed onboard the USS Midway from 89-92. I loved watching flight ops on our TV in the berthing. Thanks for the video

Amazing compilation. Some of those mishaps I know personally and some I’ve never seen. I think it is worth noting that both Naval and Marine Aviation suffered zero fatal mishaps in FY20. A feat never accomplished. Our equipment gets better, our people get better and our processes get better. It is what we do.

An outstanding job in both your digging up these clips and narrating them. Thanks for doing the job better than just about any other aviator could have.

Jaw-dropping. I’m the son of a Vietnam-era naval aviator and somehow I *still* can’t understand how my father did this for a living and was able to discuss it calmly years later.

This is fascinating stuff to watch but brutal as well. Thank you for your commentary explaining the various sequences and causes. It's usually up to the viewer to try and interpret what is actually happening, so your insight is most welcome.

Hey Ward. I enjoy watching your channel. I'm an old Crusader/Tomcat pilot, so old that I was in at the start of VF124 becoming the F-14 RAG. VF-1 and VF-2 sort of did their own RAG and then in early 1974 some of us helped get the RAG going. I was an LSO in VF-211, then the RAG LSO for VF-124 in the F-14. Lots of great stories. Thanks for your breakdown of the Navy's failures in the Kara Hultgreen crash. Before I knew anything else, when she called the ball with her name, I knew there was more to the story. I also knew a lot of the higher-ups that made the decisions. 'nuf said. Cowboy

Hard to watch knowing some didn’t survive. My hat is off to all you men and women who serve on a carrier. You are my heroes.

At 14yo I joined the air cadets whanting to become a pilot but had to give-up for lack of hearing(R.ear) and eyesight(L.eye) was told I could never drive HD vehicules,,,this was in the mid 70's, Since the 90's I've bin driving all types and brand of trucks over the years,,the last 10 yearsvI've bin driving coach bus travelling to the US and Canada. I'm 67 this May, and I still believe I could've done the right stuff upt here!! Hat's off to those that made it and on!! Thanks for posting this!

That single survivor of the S-3 waist cat left roll-off ended up being one of my commanding officers.

My cousin served on the Midway in the 70`s. He had some great stories serving on board and about the pilots. Brave men.

Ward...Witnessed an F4 crew perish in a barricade landing. The Phantom, following a ramp strike, which I cannot believe it survived, came around for a barrier landing. The F4 plowed through the barricade as though it was whipped cream...absolutely shredded it. Phantom and crew went over the angle. Word was they punched out, but too late. CV-62 1977.

That C1 that was swallowed by a wave: NOT TODAY, POSEIDON!

Excellent video Ward as to the extreme conditions and Dedication to Professionalism of these air crew. Amazing.

Very thankful that there are people both willing and able to do these jobs.

I remember reading about the A6 partial ejection in an issue of (if I recall correctly) Approach Magazine, as told by the flight crew. Absolutely harrowing stuff.

I was aboard the USS Ticonderoga, CVA-14 when the mishap happened at 2:40. Unimaginable. A true miracle.

Naval aviators have balls of steel. I say this with the upmost respect, no better way to describe their brand of guts. RIP to those brave souls who lost their lives defending our nation.

My Late Father served over 20 years in the US Navy, all ship duty was aboard Aircraft Carrier ‘s 12/51-12/53 USS Kearsarge (CVS33) 02/57-07/57 USS FORRESTAL (CVA59) 09/57-03/59 USS FORRESTAL (CVA59) 12/61-5/62 USS Constellation (CVA64) 5/62-8/62 USS F.D Roosevelt (CVA42) 8/62-1/67 USS SHANGRI LA (CVA38) 1/67-2/68 USS HANCOCK (CVA19)

I worked the flight deck, mainly fly 3 and 2 on the Carl Vinson in the 80s. It was a very dangerous place to work. There is no where to run if a plane goes across the foul line at you. I always said my prayers before I went up on the Flight deck.

Somewhere in Proceedings or maybe one of the naval aviation magazines I remember reading about a USMC Harrier pilot doing the rolling takeoff, having to eject almost immediately, getting partially fouled in his chute as he was going into the water, and the last thing he saw before he hit the water was 90,000 tons of LHA or whatever ship he was on coming at him at 25kts.

So many across all the services have paid a heavy price to ensure peace by maintaining a high state of readiness during relative peacetime... Freedom is not Free even during times of peace.

*Thank You so much for all you’ve done and are currently doing!*

Served as a trouble shooter on the flight deck during two med cruises in A-6 squadron in early ‘70s. We lost an RA5C, with pilot and Navigator, when tail-hook broke and not enough speed to get airborne. Lost two A4s (Marine squadron) and both Pilots, in mid air collision. Lost A4 when engine failed on landing attempt. Pilot safely ejected. A6 XO barely recovered from a bad cat shot and came around, landing safely. Lost an aircraft mech. when he was injected In an A7 intake. The majority of Americans never understand the dangers associated with flight operations at sea.

Well done Mr. Carrol, for providing landlubbers with a glimpse of shipboard life. Did 8 years myself from 77-85 and got out as an ET-1. Never was assigned to a Birdfarm although I got to spend a couple weeks aboard Midway to visit a dentist in the Indian Ocean. Flight decks are indeed a dangerous -place to work and my respect for sailors assigned there is great. it's the pilots however that make Carriers tick, operating from an airport that's moving is crazy and miraculous. Thank you for your service sir it is much appreciated.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It really highlights the dangers of carrier aviation.

Wow, the danger of carrier ops on display. Little to no margin for error. May God bless the departed.

Any landing you can walk (or swim) away from... Also, hats off to that S3 pilot with the nose gear problem, landing his plane after an ejector seat went off right next to him.

Wow man that was an eye opener just how quick it can go wrong

Thank you Mr. Carroll for all your great and very informative videos. Well done Sir.

I showed this to my father whom served 24 years in the Navy. He flew in s-2's and A-3's (nicknamed All Three Dead because if it's lack of ejection seats.) among other aircraft. He was wondering what happened to the lso's that were guiding in those c-1's that crashed. I'm pretty sure that A-3 going into the drink brought back some bad memories judging by the look on his face when it was showing.😥

Pappy said in his book that far more pilots are lost due to mishaps than in combat. Dangerous work...

I've never understood how this is even possible. Seems like this these mishaps would happen all the time, especially at night. These folks have skills I'll never understand.

My dad was Navy Air for twenty years. He told me one time that a crewman was in the cockpit of a jet in the hanger bay and accidentally pulled the ejection lever. He instantly died on the ceiling. Took a while to get him off.

Seeing the A-3 mishap sent a shiver down my spine. Originally the a/c was designated A3D--attack, the third, Douglas. However, since the Skywarrior didn't have ejection seats, the gouls said that A3D really stood for all three die.

The TV show Deadliest Catch has been said to be one of the worlds most deadly jobs. Not like I could do it but I'll say that there isn't a single job in the world any deadlier than trying to land an aircraft on a carrier in the middle of the ocean. Especially at night! Major props to those aviators who do it on a regular basis. They're second to none.

Aircraft carriers look really big and really small at the same time. RIP to those that died.

I was first trap F14 on the sortie where USS Nimitz lost the A3. After changing out of our gear we watched the drama unfold helplessly. We shared the ready room with the Det so we knew the crew. Very difficult to watch to this day.

I remember hearing back in my LSO days that the C-1 that launched through the wave had both engines flame out a bit further upwind.

The 1987 crash of the A-3 on the Nimitz, and loss of the crew led to the CNO ordering the immediate and permanent cessation of the A-3 operating off of carriers. A former coworker of mine witnessed the incident from the island structure by which he was standing. It was his birthday, which made it all the more unforgettable for him.

US pilot flying a MiG 23 almost lost both his legs when he lost both engines 15 seconds into flight. These guys are usually never the same after an ejection, the body simply isn't designed to endure the punishment it unleashes. Better than the alternative but by how much is highly subjective.

Thanks Mooch. All our Navy service personnel have my ongoing respect. Here's a question. What, if any, is the typical type of damage incurred on a successful barricade?

The smart man learns from his mistakes, the genius learns from the mistakes of others.

No wonder this is the most dangerous profession on earth during peace times.

My D.I. in Navy boot camp was an Aviation Boatswains Mate (Fuels) who had just returned from Yankee Station aboard the USS Ranger. We were his first company. He would tell us stories of how dangerous the flight deck was during ops, especially at night. The airedales in our company would just moan.

I haven't seen these in about 30 years and was looking to see if you had VFA 151 LCDR Conrad's ejection in 1988 or 1989 when one of his engines FODed on launch when a piece of non-skid was sucked into one of the intakes; he survived but the Hornet was lost.

Thank you for your service and these videos sir. One question not related to the aircraft or incidents however...any particular reason why these videos are so grainy and horrible to view, considering how technologically advanced these carriers are?

My biggest fear ever since I was a little boy was ejecting so close to the carrier that it runs you over.

The F14 with the crew going out sideways.. Was Grumpy the pilot? Knew him in his later airline career. Great guy…

thankyou for this video. RIP to those that didn't survive.

Great vids and narration. God bless our warriors!

I was an Aviation Electricians Mate (ultimately AE2) in the Navy in the early 90s and had some time as a flight deck troubleshooter, mostly on night-check 😱). I was at a Navy school and remember reading a publication of Naval Aviation Mishaps (Something like "NATOPS tales") about the incident early in this video about the A-6 BN partial ejection. I read the whole recounting and I swear that gave me nightmares. To the pilot who landed that A6 w/o killing his BN: I salute your, sir.

I was on flight deck of Nimitz when the A3 missed barricade. That actually was the second attempt, they had boltard 3 times, then barricade when up, he missed it first time completely and sadly 2nd attempt is what you saw! Sad sad night. Watching the helo hoving with spot light on the floating plane, we were all waiting to see crew come out then the plane went nose straight down, tail up few seconds later it drove straight down. RIP! I witness more then my share tragic events over many deployments. The Naval Aviator is in my opinion the bravest most skilled pilots to ever exist.

I had a friend who worked taking care of two kids of a French carrier fighter pilot while he was stationed away. He was killed while landing at night in rain. I understand a carrier landing at night is one of the most physically and mentally challenging acts a human can do and in stormy conditions must be so much riskier.

Hi Ward, I would really appreciate a break down with yourself and a LSO or someone familiar with a the on RU-vid titled “McNally TV: Marine Captain “Atlas” McNally crash lands on USS Ranger.” I find the communication between the pilot, crew, and LSO to be masterful. Nothing is better than hearing the calmness and professionalism of Bug talking Atlas in. Thanks s/f John

Thank you! Most will never come across info like this about how deadly this work can be! My grandfather was a WW1 - Sopwith Camel pilot. 21 men started the training - My GF was the only pilot who graduated. 20 funerals. I will never forget. Sir - Cheers!

That wave…. And then the plane flys out! Damn.

Being a US Navy AW. Now I know why I stayed with P3 Orions. RIP All sailors & Airmen who paid the ultimate price!

I was on USS Ranger CV61 from 87-92 working in CIC. Sadly we lost several pilots and crew to mishaps.

This is hard to watch. Thanks for your service.

I don't know what sounds worse. Being subjected to the forces of an ejection or getting slammed and scraped against the carrier deck

I served on The Lex from Dec 79- Aug 81. AVT-16. Had a mishap or crash every two went to sea and flew…. It was a training carrier back then

Cool landings. I really like the Led Paul and Marshall amp. You should make a video of you playing.

New to this channel. Love it. Curious... how often do mishaps happen? About how many planes do we lose a year?

Is there a place for the lso to go when there is a flaming ramp strike to avoid being burned up?

There are certain YTers who want you to "buy them a beer" and other childish boasting and bullshit. I always think about this instead of buying him a beer. Maybe thinking about one's day job is a better idea than soliciting free beer. RIP to those lost here. Thanks for keeping it real CDR.

'Intergenerational discounting' a term I think is crucially important, only the Military recognises the weight and value of learning from the experiences of those who've gone before.

In VF41 aboard CVN71, standing on 2 row or around cat 2 JBD stbd side of the foul line-waiting for our 2 F14As to recover. I was a AD2 or 320 mech trouble shooter. Watched a 4 man crew Prowler EA6B land & wire separated or failed so tension lost & jet taxied off the round down or angle into the water. Crew ejected, not all survived. Fastest 30 seconds of my 23 year service. Imprinted in my mind like a movie scene. It was amazing how fast they steered ship clear of the area of descending ejected aircrew. Then within seconds the Plane watch H3 helicopter was above ejected aircrew & SAR crew swimmer was in the water. At the same time was as swift the deployment of the rescue motor whale boat. Ship came to full stop. Our flight deck Chief had me dive ducts to inspect intakes on our 2 F14As on elevator 4. I checked for FOD or debris damage. All was good. After exiting intakes I could see there was prolonged rescue attempts going on in the water. By now the rescuers & ejected aircrew were well aft of ship & port side from our view. Just one of many at sea incidents. To this day, I felt safer working the roof as we called it, or the flight deck. It was dangerous. We were trained and we worked as a team. All flight deck operations are well planned & executed. Considering how fast jets launch, recover, fly and the hazards of props, rotors, intakes, exhausts, weapons-missiles, bombs, chaff, flares, fuels & sharp metal edges. It is amazing more deck & aircrews are not injured or worse. However I consider US Navy flight deck operations safer than driving on the roads these days. If the public can imagine launching a 30 plane event on a football field. Its that close & so its heads on a swivel to do your job safely. Seeing the newly configured Ford class carrier deck looks so roomy and safer.

EVERY naval pilot who lands on a carrier deserves a medal for bravery.

Man, the Wright Brothers had better video quality than the Navy! I’ll never understand why carrier video footage was so horrible, even into the 90s. We were able to power a massive ship with a nuclear reactor but record clear video? Nah, that’s impossible. 😆

Very hazardous duty. It’s kind of incredible that aircraft carrier technology exists at all, and that it works as well as it does.

I was a PR at the time of the 2 that landed on the flight deck, I packed both those chutes.

While in the Navy I watched these pilots land their aircraft at night, in the rain, during a hurricane with approximately 30 foot waves and a side rolling motion. Those men and the current pilots are real men.

It’s amazing how much better FLIR is today.

i use to go up to the signal bridge to watch flight ops (i was on the uss ranger cv 61 81-83 cr div) saw some awesome flights and some scary moments from up there

I did not have a military career. These videos show me something most civilians seldom consider. At any moment, in peacetime or otherwise, even highly trained professional personnel may have to surrender their lives not defending themselves from any adversary, but simply performing benign functions for the sake of combat readiness. If you are a legislator faced with a decision whether or not to pursue an act against an aggressor.....well, I think you see my point. Some unfortunate person may be horribly maimed or killed doing something of a supportive nature nowhere near the time or place of the military action. These situations CANNOT be overlooked or passed off out of hand. They must be factored in to every decision involving living people, those who want to serve but who not necessarily seeking a combat experience. Thank you.

Thank you sir. Navy aviators are a breed above.

This makes me feel a little better when I respawn and go over the deck cause my throttle is still up in DCS.

The one of the f-18 going off cat 1 and getting the engine foded because of the slot seal I was aboard for that one. It was on cv64 the constellation. I was right underneath the flight deck when he launched and you could hear that something went wrong. He got waived off the first time going for the barricade and just barely cleared it on the wave off and then landed it the second time.

I imagine the fact that the C-2 has no ejection system might be why GWB (Bush 43) trapped aboard the Lincoln (CVN-72.) I'm sure the Secret Service absolutely forbid a carrier landing from which the CINC couldn't escape if the landing went bad.

9:21 props to the guy who yeeted himself into the chute to colapse it lol

I wish they didn’t repeat the old errors but there are always those who think they’re too good. 23 years USN. Plank owner USS Eisenhower.

F-14s seem to like hitting A-7s 🤷🏻‍♂️ and thank you for this incredible footage and your precise and quick narration. Also thank you for your service 🇺🇸 and thank you to all the men and women who serve this GREAT NATION!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

As a former ABHC, I wish I had videos like this to use as training aids.

I believe I was an eyewitness to the S-3 crash at 10:26 assuming that was the Enterprise. Very odd feeling to see this again after so many years. I was an ET working on the SPN-43A marshalling, and SPN-41 ILS radars. This left many of my daytime hours to be on Vulture's Row or CATCC. People don't realize how dangerous normal shipboard life is, I believe we typically lost about 3 people per cruise even without a mishap like these.