• BuNo: 159730
• Location: USS Independence
• Date: Tue 01-Nov-1983
• Cause: Aircraft Mechanical Failure
• Findings: At approximately 2325 hours on approach to the USS Independence, aircraft was in a descent of approximately 370 KIAS with throttles at idle, descent rate between 2,000 and 3,000 FPM crew experienced turbulence then aircraft started a roll to the right. Pilot was unable to control aircraft.
  
  Ejection was initiated after aircraft passed through the inverted position.
  
  Cause of mishap was due to an uncontrollable aircraft with an unknown mechanical or system failure.
  
  Uncontrollable roll.
  
  Crew of 4 ejected safely.
  
  Source: JAG Investigation Report
  
  Comments from JAG Investigation Report:
  
  Since November 1981, two confirmed uncommanded and unrecoverable rolls involving S-3 aircraft have occurred.
  
  The loss at sea of a third aircraft could be hypothesized to be result of a similar occurrence. All of the aircraft were lost at sea and never recovered.
  
  NAVAIRSYSCOM and Lockheed California company have conducted in depth investigations of flight control malfunctions. However, none of these investigations have been able to duplicate the conditions encountered in the instances of unrecoverable rolls.

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