• BuNo: 159402
• Location: USS Harry Truman near Puerto Rico
• Date: Sun 08-Sep-2002
• Cause: Pilot Error
• Findings: Off USS Harry Truman in the South Puerto Rico operating area while doing surface surveillance on USS Donald Cook, altitude declines from 1,875 feet to 562.5 feet as the airspeed increases from 302.563 KTS to 332.886 KTS. At time of 01:01.08 was last radar contact bearing 343.872 degrees, 3.515NM, altitude 187.5 feet and airspeed 347.168 KTS.
  Aircraft made a controlled flight into the water.
  At 0901, Donald Cook commences salvage operations, only very small items of wreckage existed for salvage. One of the largest articles recovered was an aircraft tire.
  Cause of mishap is LSA (Loss of Situational Awareness) and breakdown in aircrew coordination. On the night of the mishap, visibility was poor, there was no horizon, and very little moon.
  Discussion of Radar Altimeter upgrade.
  Crew of 3 died.
  Source: JAG Investigation Report

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