F-35C Accident - USS Carl Vinson

[SpazSinbad]

I will guess - because of the number of injured sailors on deck - sadly - that the cross deck pendant (arrestor wire caught by the F-35C) broke. IT has been said that the F-35C is a 'three wire machine' which may indicate that the number three wire took one too many arrests. The wire would then whip across the deck taking out sailors. Because aircraft not stopping without speed for a 'bolter' the pilot ejects OK and of course the aircraft will be recovered toot de sweet as we know. All above is conjecture though. ASLO: The wire used during an arrest is inspected afterwards every time - that procedure will have been followed - perhaps there was a defect in the cross deck pendant or the arresting gear engine malfunctioned OR it was not set up correctly for an F-35C? "...USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The arresting gear is the four cables on the ship’s deck that stop aircraft traveling 150 mph in approximately 320 feet...." https://www.navair.navy.mil/node/3571

IIRC the cross deck pendant is replaced every 100 arrests anyway or when visible damage is perceived.