To correct a lot of disinformation,
Yes it was the Forrestal, no it wasn't a radar transmission.
The fire was caused by the unintentional firing of a Zuni rocket which impacted and set on fire an aircraft on the other side of the flight deck (The now senator McCain's). This caused a fire causing the bombs on the aircraft to explode causing a chain reaction. The fire was exacerbated by the fact that 8 of the aircraft were carrying WWII vintage bombs of which detonated in less than 2 minutes before the fire suppression equipment could gain control. Six of the aircraft exploded with 9 explosions caused by the detonation of their 1000lb bombs.
The rocket fired due to a power surge as the aircraft went to internal power. This was a known possibility which should have been prevented by two safety mechanisms. Firstly, the firing plug at the back of the rocket pod should not have been connected till the aircraft was on the way to the catapult; secondly, the TER pins should only have been pulled on the catapult. Unfortunately, the safety board on the carrier had approved the plug being attached to save time during combat operations, relying on the TER pins; the deck crew meanwhile had got into the habit of pulling the pins early.
The fire started on 291051 July 1967, the last major fire was extinguished at 300400 July - 17 hours. The fires were fought by crew of the carrier plus all the fire trained crew/equipment which could be flown across by helicopter plus destroyers laying alongside. Smaller fires occured as compartments were re-opened at Subic and en-route back to the USA.
A total of 21 aircraft were destroyed, including those bullozed off the deck to prevent further explosions - including 3 intact RA-5C Vigilantes.
The Forrestal was immediately withdrawn from operation and ordered to withdraw back to the Norfolk. She suffered major structural damage which required the removal of the entire rear half of the flight deck. All aircraft were off-loaded by crane, no further aircraft flew from the Forrestal. She only returned to service after structural repairs and a complete refit. She never returned to Vietnam.
The wonder was they managed to prevent the fire spreading to the aircaft and weapons below. The crew below in hangar 3, working in thick black smoke and a rainstorm of water from the flightdeck, went from aircraft to aircraft disconnecting the bombs and missiles by hand and carrying them to the elevators to dump them overboard.
facts courtesy of "Sailors to the End - the deadly fire on the USS Forrestal and the heroes who fought it" by Gregory A. Freeman.
Last edited by ORAC; 9th Nov 2002 at 05:59.