S3 Viking History

BuNo: 160120
Location: NALF San Clemente Island, near San Diego, CA
Date: Mon 10-Mar-1980
Cause: Pilot Error
Findings: At approximately 2001 hours, on approach to NALF San Clemente Island, within 3 to 4 miles to the runway, airspeed decreased through 185 KIAS with 15-16 units angle of attack (AOA), pilot lowers landing gear. At 15 degrees nose up attitude, nose continued a slow steady climb passing through 20 to 25 degrees nose up, copilot physically pushed control stick forward with no apparent response. Between 45 and 60 degrees nose up and AOA 20 units, command ejection is executed.

At the time of ejection, the aircraft was experiencing airframe buffet and in a 60 degree nose high, left wing down attitude.

Because of the unsuccessful salvage effort and absence of aircraft wreckage, cause of this mishap is undetermined.

On 14 and 15 March 1980 a Deep Submerged Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) attempted unsuccessfully to locate the aircraft wreckage, further attempts in May 1980 to locate and/or photograph the wreckage also proved unsuccessful. Depth of water is between 627 and 659 fathoms (3,762 to 3,964 feet).

Crew of 4 with 1 Fatal (pilot).

Source: JAG Investigation Report

Comments from the JAG Report:
Where there was no apparent response to the control stick input and the nose continued to climb, crew assumed the aircraft was experiencing a runway trim.

In the events of this flight preceding ejection there were at least two maneuvers which could lead to an individual becoming disoriented.

First, a rapid descending left turn could induce spatial disorientation. The second maneuver which could possibly be a disorienting stimulus was the reduction of power and extension of full speedbrakes at 250 KIAS, that the pilot perceives himself to be leaning forward and downward.

Pilot error is considered to be the most plausible for this mishap.

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