Serial	012096
Line Number
First Flight
Model	EA-3B Skywarrior
Status	Written-off
Comments	w/o 25.1.1987 when attempting to land on the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) at night during blue water operations off Lebanon; The a/c attempted to catch the arresting gear wire 5 times to no avail. During one of the approaches the EA-3B dropped out of view below the flight deck almost impacting the water. After regaining altitude the a/c was running low on fuel with less than 800lbs left, and sent to meet up with an A-7 which was unable to transfer fuel due to a malfunction with the 'buddy store' system. Due to the low fuel state the EA-3B was unable to make it to a shore base and it was decided to launch the KA-6B tanker. It was then determined that the A-6 couldn't be launched due to it being blocked in on the bow by other aircraft from the last recovery. After a discussion between the aircraft, CAG and VQ-2 CO, It was ruled out for the crew to bail out or ditch into the winter Mediterranean Sea. The barricade was rigged, then it was discovered that a big wrench used to tighten up the barricade was missing, so the barricade was sagging 8 foot. The EA-3B made a good approach to the carrier, descending toward the barricade at a high angle. Once near the barricade the LSO told the pilot to "Cut, Cut" (shut down the engines), which he failed to do, flying into the barricade too high and the nose landing gear caught on the sagging barricade ripping it back and slamming the A-3 into the deck. It then skidded down the flight deck and off the angle into the sea. The rescue Helo hovered above the A-3 not noting any movement inside; the helo SAR swimmers did not enter the A-3. After 13 minutes of floating the EA-3B sank with its 7-man crew.
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