Originally Posted by
CharlieOneSix
I was part of the Wessex night planeguard crew on the Ark when this Gannet landed on and went down the deck in a shower of sparks and straight over the front of the angled deck into the sea - he'd snapped his nosewheel leg and missed the wires as a result. It was a rough night and the deck was pitching a lot. Gannet Driver will know the crew - who all got out okay. Pilot MJ and observers MR and MC. 10 May 1966.
That was a bad day for the Ark - on the same date one of 890 Sqn's Sea Vixens went in after a double engine failure, with the loss of the observer who was unable to eject. Pilot was awarded the George Medal for his efforts to save his crew member.