S3 Viking History

BuNo: 159772
Location: USS America
Date: Wed 18-Oct-1978
Cause: Pilot Error
Findings: At approximately 2012 hours, crashed during initial night carrier qualifications aboard USS America.

Aircraft touchdown hard on the left main mount and engaged #4 CDP 14 feet off center on an angle 15 degrees left of centerline. Aircraft runout after engagement was 28 feet left of centerline for 150 feet when aircraft turned 10 degrees left, the port main mount jumped the deck edge, stopped and rolled to port over the side of the ship. After 100 to 120 degrees of port roll, ejection occurred out of the safe ejection envelope.

Later aircraft detached itself from the ship and sank in 1259 fathoms (7,554 feet) of water.

Cause of the mishap was determined to be pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the starboard crosswind. Incorrect crosswind data relayed to the pilot by the LSO may have been a contributing factor. Pilot failed to control aircraft after rollout.

Possibility had they not ejected, they likely would have survived.

Crew of 2, both bodies not recovered.

Source: JAG Investigation Report

Comments from JAG Investigation Report: All aircraft in the pattern had been advised by the LSO that the relative wind was Axial at 20-25 Kts.

RA-730's first three approaches terminated in a Bolter, Technique Wave-off, and a Bolter. The Bolters were attributed to the deck pitching 5 to 10 feet.

USS America turned starboard from 127 degrees to 212 degrees at 24 knots in an attempt to steady the pitching deck. RA-730 was under positive control of final approach controllers during the ship's turn to 212 degrees.

Indicated relative wind over deck at the time of the mishap was 005 degrees starboard at 29-30 knots.

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