• BuNo: 160154
• Location: Near Rota, Spain
• Date: Sat 08-Dec-1979
• Cause: Pilot Error
• Findings: At approximately 1515. Aircraft 707, 711, 702 took off from Rota, Spain intending to recover aboard the USS Forrestal with the 1600Z recovery. Aircraft was conducting Special Interest Reconnaissance Patterns. Enroute to the Forrestal, the flight was placed under an E-2C control. The E-2C informed the flight of S-3A's of a surface target to investigate. The target was the NUKOLIA ZUBOV, a Soviet AGI.
  
  The flight around the ZUBOV in order to photograph her. Aircraft 707 was at 400 feet when aircraft 702 requested that aircraft 707 elevate in order to see them above the horizon. Aircraft 707 reported 'elevating this time'. LTjg of 702 saw a splash immediately after aircraft 707 acknowledged elevating. The aircraft impacted the water in a wings level to possibly slight right wing down attitude.
  
  Given the circumstances surrounding the crash and limited evidence available, no possible determination can be made why it crashed. Possible Spatial Disorientation.
  
  Crew of 2 killed with 1 body not recovered.
  
  Source: JAG Investigation Report.
  
  Comments from JAG report: Submission of proposed airframe change concerning the audio/visual warnings of the Radar Altimeter and Altitude Warning System. NATOPS change to include 'low altitude brief items'. Requested that a Flight Data Recorder be installed. Continue to discuss with and train aircrews in the numerous safety aspects of low altitude flight.

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