"...Did he flare, or just get caught by a gust... that seemed like a very high approach over the fantail."
Because that was 'tartare' last sentence I thought it referred to 'off the deck & climb away after the bolter'. However rereading it seems the sentence refers to 'at the ramp' coming over the deck/wires.
There is a trick of the light - either the white water from ship propellors or paint at round down causes the under reflection to change dramatically, giving the impression that the AoA has changed equally (the under A-4 paint is white) - but I do not think so. Sure the aircraft does something weird 'over the wires' to cause a bolter, probably too much power, which was then reduced to idle, (or raised nose but no one flares in naval aviation) and then some time to accelerate the engine when no arrest (when pilot was perhaps thinking aircraft would arrest?). All is well that ends well however unless that pilot has a good reason to explain, or was a total beginner, then he would be 'beached' probably.
Hook Runners & A4Gs MELBOURNE then 'under aircraft light change' at the ramp,